AIA, Bento’s Auto bring Right to Repair to Toronto techs

In late June, AIA Canada and Bento’s Auto and Tire Centre in Toronto met with some 100 technicians and owners to talk Right to Repair.

Scott Smith, manager of government relations for AIA Canada in Ottawa said Right to Repair is a critical issue for all technicians and owners as newer vehicles have more sophisticated electronics and computer systems needing advanced diagnostics and flash updates to operate properly. By 2010, about 40 per cent of the cost of a vehicle will be due to the complex electronics and systems.

However, too many auto manufacturers are restricting access to the diagnostic, repair and flash updates needed to repair these vehicles to independent service providers, especially those in Canada, Smith added.

John Cochrane, president of AIA Canada demonstrated this problem by demonstrating the impossibility of Canadians getting access to critical diagnostic and flash upgrade information for several new domestic vehicles.

Cochrane added Canadian technicians should not be made to do back-room deals to get access to this information and why there needed to be more pressure put on Ottawa to pass Right to Repair legislation.

Brian Masse, MP for Windsor West, who recently introduced a Private Members Bill on Right to Repair, spoke about the need to move quickly and build a groundswell of support for Right to Repair on the Hill in Ottawa.

“This is all about fairness to the Canadian consumer and to you,” he said.