Alberta government introduces omnibus consumer protection bill

Have you ever tried to repair your dishwasher or your lawnmower or your cell phone and you can't because you can't find an instruction manual or you can't find parts? Well, the Alberta government is trying to make that easier by introducing new consumer protection legislation. A new omnibus bill includes what advocates call right to repair legislation. The idea is to require manufacturers to make it easier to fix your belongings by yourself, which could save you some money. If the legislature passes the bill, manufacturers would have to make repair manuals, tools and parts available to consumers and to third-party repair shops. The very idea that you could own a piece of property and you can't repair it, frankly, I think that's egregious. Quebec and the federal government have passed similar bills while Manitoba has legislation being debated. Nally says the right to repair rules could apply to electronics, vehicles, appliances and agricultural equipment. For farmers, this is an absolute game changer. When your equipment goes down during harvest, every hour counts. The bill would also introduce consumer protections for drivers who buy a vehicle that turns out to be a lemon. Owners whose new vehicles still don't work after many repair attempts could apply to the court for a resolution. The opposition NDP says members will be watching to ensure that the bill has teeth. If this is the only thing that UCP can put forward to help Albertans with affordability, that's not enough. We need to do a lot more. Alberta has not seen a single dollar pay increase in past nine years. The government says it'll work out the precise details later in consultation with stakeholders. One advocate for right to repair says this legislation should encourage manufacturers to make parts and instructions more accessible. At the end of the day, we want consumers to be able to extend the product's life for those goods that they've purchased. And if this bill can help improve clarity, at least, of access to repair and ultimately reduce waste that fills up landfills, then this is a positive thing. The minister says there will be consequences for companies that don't comply with right-to-repair rules, such as administrative penalties or fines. Janet French, CBC News, Edmonton.