Automotive industry advocates met with Members of Parliament, senators and political staff on Parliament Hill this week to push for national right to repair legislation, citing new research that links restricted access to vehicle repair data with higher consumer costs and operational challenges for independent shops.
The meetings were organized as part of the Automotive Industries Association of Canada’s Hill Day. Participants referenced findings from a recent MNP Canada report examining how data access limitations affect repair businesses, particularly as vehicles become more technologically complex.
“AIA’s Hill Day was an important and productive opportunity to bring our members’ voices directly to Parliament Hill,” Emily Holtby, vice-president of government relations at AIA Canada, noted. “The release of new MNP research helped ground those discussions in real economic impact.”
Collision repair facilities were included in the study, which found their experiences largely mirrored those of independent mechanical repairers. While most collision shops indicated that access to repair information has improved since 2019, gaps remain, particularly when aftermarket subscriptions lack the necessary OEM procedures or data.
According to the report, structural repairs, recalibrations and ADAS-related work were among the areas most affected by limited OEM access. Shops also identified longer service times and higher operating costs stemming from additional research efforts and reliance on OEM subscriptions.
Holtby emphasized that increasing vehicle connectivity and software integration have intensified long-standing concerns about who controls diagnostic and repair data, warning that restricted access can limit consumer choice and strain small and medium-sized businesses.
“There is clear momentum to keep advancing this issue with the government.”
Discussions with federal officials focused on repair affordability, competition and the economic role of independent repairers.
The full report can be read here.
