Building Bridges: ATA of Manitoba building cross-aisle relationships with industry policymakers
Winnipeg, Manitoba — Far too often, those who speak on behalf of collision repairers are anyone but actual collision repairers—Manitoba’s Automotive Trades Association (ATA) is aiming to change that, following a series of meetings with high-ranking politicians from either side of the aisle. Ferd Klassen, vice president of the ATA and owner of Niverville Auto […]
Disaster Looming: Stellantis ceases European lobbying efforts, citing fossil fuel vehicle sales ban in 2035
Amsterdam, The Netherlands — Stellantis is taking its ball home in the European lobbying world, with its CEO expressing his dissatisfaction with European environmental regulations and that the company will cease lobbying with governmental bodies. “We no longer have lobbyists. We do not negotiate anymore. We can no longer wait for governments to make decisions—we […]
People and Policy: AIA Canada meeting MPs in Ottawa for right to repair talks
Ottawa, Ontario — The Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA) was in the nation’s capital on Tuesday, alongside a team of 20 association members from across Canada, to bring the struggle for the right to repair to the steps of parliament. The association’s message to MPs and policymakers was clear: “Give Canadian consumers a choice […]
Show of Force: Former mayor returns damaged city vehicle after losing municipal election
Surrey, British Columbia — A Surrey city councillor is calling out former mayor Doug McCallum for allegedly returning his city vehicle with a large dent in the front fender after losing a municipal election this past weekend. “To my extreme disgust, this is how McCallum returned his @CityofSurrey funded vehicle… a final FU to Surrey […]
Money Talks: Ontario license plate refunds favour fleet owners over average drivers, critics say
Hamilton, Ontario — An investigation into license plate refunds indicates that it disproportionately favours Canadians with more than five vehicles, with CTV News reporting that a single person received more than $38,000. During a press conference Thursday, transportation minister Caroline Mulroney said “there’s very rare cases of people who own a large number of cars, […]
Wake Up Call: AIA asks for testimony on diagnostic data access
Toronto, Ontario – The Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA Canada) is calling on the repair industry to testify on the importance of data access for repair and maintenance, providing a stronger case for when the federal government addresses right to repair in the coming months. In an email to its members on Sept. 16, […]
Planning Ahead: AIA Canada Quebec call on incoming political candidates to futureproof auto industry for EVs
Montreal, Quebec — In preparation for Montreal’s Oct. 3 general election, the Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada’s Quebec Division has three demands for incoming political candidates, citing structural inadequacies that leave the automotive industry unprepared for the mass arrival of electric vehicles (EVs). These demands include owners’ rights to vehicle data, fighting planned obsolescence […]
The Premier’s Picks: Eleven skills industry leaders form Alberta ‘Council on Skills’
Edmonton, Alberta — A group of eleven skills industry stakeholders will head up the new “Premier’s Council on Skills,” announced on Monday, as the province of Alberta continues its push to bring more skilled trades workers into the province. Comprised of leaders from various sectors of industry, though unfortunately lacking an expert specifically knowledgeable in […]
A Win(dsor)-Win(dsor) Situation: Federal Labour Minister O’ Regan speaks on skilled trades, EVs
Windsor, Ontario — Canada’s automotive capital city has continued its growth within the EV market, as Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan was in Windsor, Ont. this week calling for more skilled trade workers in Canada. O’Regan’s visit included the announcement funding for another 144 EV battery chargers within the Windsor area. This announcement was made on […]
Sign onto the Future: Right to Repair petition closes Friday
Toronto, Ontario — A petition to the House of Commons on the issue of Right to Repair, put forth by the Automotive Industries Association of Canada, has officially received enough support to be tabled, but AIA Canada is calling on as many voices as possible to help amplify this important issue. “Because of your support […]
