The Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA Canada) has issued a clear and timely recommendation to the federal government as part of its pre-budget consultation for Budget 2025: introduce comprehensive right to repair legislation that includes the auto care sector.
This is not simply a policy ask; it is a strategic call to action aimed at protecting consumer choice, defending middle-class jobs, and ensuring the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of Canada’s auto care sector.
The goal: Secure fair access, lower costs, and support jobs
AIA Canada’s recommendation is rooted in a clear objective: to mandate secure, timely, and standardized access to vehicle repair and maintenance data for independent automotive service providers. In doing so, this legislation would accomplish several critical goals:
- Provide Canadian consumers with more repair choices and lower costs
- Protect over 500,000 skilled jobs in the aftermarket sector
- Foster greater competition and innovation within the automotive economy
- Extend the life of vehicles, reduce unnecessary waste, and promote sustainability
This is about fairness. Every repair shop, regardless of size or affiliation, should have access to the data and tools required to do the job right. Every consumer should have the freedom to choose where and how their vehicle is serviced, and every skilled technician should be able to thrive in a competitive market that values their expertise.
Why now?
Canadian families are already feeling the pinch from rising costs. Global supply chain disruptions, new United States (U.S.) tariffs, and duties on auto parts are driving up repair bills and restricting access to affordable service. Independent repair shops are being squeezed out, and consumers are being left with fewer options, often costlier ones tied to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) networks.
In today’s climate:
- Access to parts and data is not just a business issue, but an affordability issue.
- Tariffs are creating cost volatility, but Canadian policy can stabilize the sector.
- Without federal support, the auto care sector risks losing ground in innovation, workforce sustainability, and consumer trust.
While Bills C-244 and C-294 from the previous Parliament were a step in the right direction by addressing digital lock barriers and interoperability, they stopped short of ensuring that independent shops receive the complete and timely data required for full-service maintenance and diagnostics. AIA Canada is stepping in now to close this gap.
The legislative path forward
AIA Canada is calling on the federal government to enact robust right to repair legislation that includes the following:
- Mandate data access by requiring OEMs by regulation to share all necessary diagnostic, maintenance and repair information under clear service-level commitments.
- Support skilled jobs and domestic manufacturing by fostering a competitive auto care sector that sustains over 500,000 technicians and boosts confidence in buying Canadian-made vehicles.
- Drive innovation and sustainability by enabling independent shops to deploy advanced diagnostic tools, extend vehicle lifespans and reduce waste, lowering the total cost of ownership and environmental impact.
The bigger picture
This issue goes far beyond a single industry. It touches on broader national concerns—economic resilience, affordability, consumer rights, and environmental sustainability. The automotive aftermarket represents $43.9 billion of economic activity and includes over 4,000 businesses from coast to coast. These are not just numbers; they are families, careers, and communities that depend on fair access to the tools and data they need to succeed.
When independent repair providers are excluded from the repair ecosystem, it is not only businesses that suffer—it is consumers who pay more, wait longer, and face fewer options. It is the economy that loses out on innovation, competition, and job creation. And it is Canada’s commitment to sustainability that is undermined when repairable vehicles are retired too soon.
Looking ahead
AIA Canada is prepared to work closely with the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance and the federal government to ensure that Budget 2025 addresses these pressing challenges head-on. With the proper legislative framework, Canada can maintain affordability for drivers, build a more resilient and inclusive auto care industry, and empower consumers to make choices that suit their needs and values.
For further details, please get in touch with Emily Holtby, vice president, government relations, AIA Canada.