Article published by AIA Canada on September 22, 2026
AIA Canada continues to advance Right to Repair through a range of legislative, policy and advocacy efforts, recognizing that meaningful progress will likely depend on several pathways moving forward at the same time. From federal legislation and provincial regulation to national coalition-building and direct engagement with policymakers, each effort helps strengthen the case for a framework that protects consumer choice and gives independent repair businesses access to the information, tools and technology they need.
Keeping every federal pathway open
At the federal level, AIA Canada is continuing to pursue multiple opportunities to advance Right to Repair, including advocating for motor vehicles to be included in Bill C-267 and exploring how Bill C-36 could expand to include vehicle-generated repair and maintenance data as part of the proposed data portability framework.
AIA Canada was also invited to appear before the House of Commons Finance Committee as part of its pre-budget consultations, which provided an important opportunity to bring the auto care sector’s priorities directly to federal decision-makers and reinforce the need for a national approach that is both meaningful and enforceable.
Across these efforts, the focus remains on ensuring that consumers can choose where their vehicles are serviced and that independent repair businesses can access the information and technology required to safely and effectively repair modern vehicles.
Manitoba moves Right to Repair forward
Progress is also continuing at the provincial level, where Manitoba’s Bill 15, The Consumer Protection Amendment Act, received royal assent in June following more than 18 months of advocacy by AIA Canada and its members.
The legislation creates a path toward sector-specific Right to Repair regulations, with home appliances expected to be addressed first, followed by automotive . As the automotive framework is developed, AIA Canada will remain engaged with the Manitoba government to help ensure that independent repair businesses have meaningful access to the repair information, tools and resources they need.
This provincial progress is an important step, while also reinforcing the need for a coordinated national approach that gives businesses and consumers greater consistency across Canada.
Building a stronger national movement
Advancing Right to Repair also depends on maintaining strong relationships across industry, government and the broader advocacy community, which is why AIA Canada participated in the CanRepair Convention in Halifax in May.
The two-day national summit brought together industry leaders, policymakers and advocates to discuss the future of Right to Repair in Canada, including the economic benefits associated with greater repair access, stronger competition, improved affordability and job creation.
As Vice President of the CanRepair Coalition, Emily Holtby took part in a panel discussion alongside other stakeholders and policymakers, helping bring the auto care sector’s perspective into the conversation while also strengthening relationships with organizations working toward the same goal.
Taking policymakers directly to the shops
AIA Canada also continued its direct engagement with elected officials over the summer by organizing visits to automotive repair and collision facilities, where Members of Parliament (MPs) could hear directly from business owners and industry professionals about the challenges they experience in accessing repair information and vehicle technology.
These visits, such as ones from Fix Network and AutoServiceGroup, helped connect the policy discussion to the day-to-day realities of the sector, while also giving MPs a clearer understanding of the role independent repair and collision businesses play as local employers, skilled-trades workplaces and community partners.
By bringing policymakers into the repair environment, AIA Canada was also able to reinforce how Right to Repair affects consumers, particularly when it comes to preserving choice, maintaining competition and ensuring continued access to safe and affordable vehicle repairs.
Continuing to build momentum
The progress made over the past several months reflects the importance of pursuing Right to Repair from several directions at once, whether through federal legislation, provincial regulation, national advocacy partnerships or direct conversations with decision-makers.
AIA Canada will continue working across each of these areas to build support for a framework that reflects the realities of modern vehicle repair and gives consumers and independent repair businesses the access they need as vehicle technology continues to evolve.
