
Points AIA needs addressed in Quebec’s election

Quebecers will head to the polls in a month’s time and the automotive aftermarket needs to verify its considerations are on the forefront.
The Quebec division of the Car Industries Affiliation of Canada issued an announcement this week outlining its considerations. The division represents greater than 6,500 companies within the business, from restore outlets to banner head places of work. Virtually 91,000 folks work within the province’s automotive aftermarket.
“In contrast to different Canadian provinces, Quebec doesn’t manufacture automobiles however slightly specializes within the aftermarket sector, which covers upkeep and restore, in addition to the distribution and sale of elements,” the assertion mentioned.
It famous challenges that should be overcome to make sure automobile security and the significance of getting ready for the arrival of electrical automobiles.
On the high of the record was proper to restore. Information collected by automobiles are transmitted to the producer, which then limits what impartial restore outlets can get and what number of can entry the info.
“With out entry to this information, impartial auto restore outlets can’t repair a automobile,” the assertion mentioned, including that this ends in larger client prices.
“We’re not simply speaking about engines, transmissions, or different ‘huge ticket gadgets’ right here, but additionally the set up of tires, windshields, windshield wipers, and so forth.,” mentioned Élisabeth Lambert, president of the AIA Canada Quebec Division and vice-president of Joliette Auto Components.
The group needs to see legislative adjustments to provide automobile house owners free and full entry to information generated whereas driving, together with the choice of sharing entry with the store of their alternative, the assertion added.
In the meantime, electrical automobiles are gaining in reputation. Quebec has one in all two provinces that supply rebates on purchases. Within the first quarter of this yr, the province noticed 13.6 per cent of latest automobile registrations as a zero-emission automobiles.

“For the shift to electrical automobiles to speed up, repairs should be simply and shortly accessible at an inexpensive value right here in Quebec,” the assertion mentioned.
It noticed that new information applied sciences built-in into electrical automobiles create laborious, and costly, upkeep. This is usually a deterrent to purchasing an EV.
What the group needs to see is an finish to EV parts and techniques included within the battle in opposition to programmed obsolescence.
“Electrical automobiles already require extra sustained upkeep and many homeowners, confronted with issues and really excessive prices, are dissatisfied,” mentioned Patrick Saint-Pierre, of the Monaco group and government member of the AIA Canada Quebec Division. “As well as, they generally need to ship their automobile greater than 500 km away for a easy restore. The time to behave is now”.
Lastly, the group is shining a lightweight on workforce coaching as labour challenges proceed to hit the aftermarket exhausting.
“Day by day, we hear from colleagues who’re shedding earnings and who’re compelled to delay making appointments due to a scarcity of workers,” Lambert mentioned. “But winter tire set up or brake alternative, for instance, can’t afford to attend. The potential penalties are too critical.”
The group needs to see ongoing assist for creating the automotive commerce and higher entry to each expert and unskilled international staff. It additionally is looking for investments to coach EV staff.
The AIA Canada Quebec Division mentioned it’s aspiring to ship calls for to most important political events, together with a dedication questionnaire. It’s going to additionally intervene in present occasions associated to business points.
“The following elections shall be decisive for the event of Quebec and its areas,” the assertion mentioned. “The tangible proposals put ahead right this moment will enable the automotive aftermarket to proceed to completely assume its function of sustaining security, creating good jobs in Quebec, and making the restore of all kinds of automobiles on Quebec roads extra accessible.”