2022 Quebec election – The political parties’ stances on the aftermarket industry issues

As part of our government relations efforts, we were actively engaged during the 2022 Quebec election campaign. In addition to monitoring the election, looking for important issues that could impact AIA Canada members, we also sought to inform politicians, the media, and the public in general of our industry’s most pressing challenges.

We sent a press release to political parties and journalists to present our main asks. Members of the AIA Canada Quebec Division also conducted media interviews on the topic.

At the end of August, the AIA Canada Quebec Division sent a questionnaire to the six main political parties in the province. The goal was to get their opinion on three key topics and then bring their responses to our members to inform them before the October 3 vote. We gave the parties until September 16 to respond.

The questions focused on the right to repair, workforce training, and transitioning to a greater number of electric vehicles.

We received full responses to the questions from two parties (Quebec Liberal Party and Québec Solidaire). Another two parties referred us to sections of their platforms (Coalition Avenir Québec and Parti Québecois). Finally, the remaining two parties (Conservative Party of Quebec and the Green Party of Quebec) did not respond to our request, despite receiving a reminder.

Here is a summary of the proposals of those parties that responded or directed us to their platforms in form of their response. The responses are presented in order of receipt, with priority given to those who sent us complete written responses.

Right to repair

• Quebec Liberal Party: Agrees with opening up access to data to provide better choice for consumers but security of data in transfer must be ensured. Willingness to consult stakeholders on the issue.
• Québec Solidaire: Educate all producers of perishable goods, including the automotive industry. In favour of fighting monopolies. Aim to limit the production of ephemeral goods (not clear if cars are a part of this case).
• Coalition Avenir Québec: The party platform speaks of free competition and openness to fight consumer rights abuses. No direct mention of programmed obsolescence.
• Parti Québécois: Wants to introduce an environmental policy of a circular economy, promoting recycling and reuse. Fight against programmed obsolescence in certain niches (these are not mentioned).

Training of tradespeople and funding for programs (including green skills)

• Quebec Liberal Party: Wishes to maintain efforts to modernize and train the automotive industry, particularly because the current upheavals and paradigm shifts are significant and will likely accelerate in the coming years. Quebec must be ready for this inevitable change. It is therefore necessary not only to maintain training, but to accelerate and improve it.
• Québec Solidaire: Support role for traditionally polluting industries (including the automobile industry) to transition. $500 million for the training of workers as part of a policy of green industrial change. Financing of training programs that can limit climate change (for example, mechanics working on electric vehicles).
• Coalition Avenir Québec: Invest in the training of qualified workers. Prioritize certain high-tech sectors (the automotive sector is not mentioned). Put in place incentives to keep older workers employed. Reduce administrative delays for hiring. Introduce new short-duration training programs in the professional sector.
• Parti Québécois: Increase accessibility to vocational training and promote it, particularly by optimizing financing for it (public-private partnerships).

Role of the aftermarket in the face of the arrival of more electric vehicles on the market

• Quebec Liberal Party: Promote the “Roulez Vert” program and add incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles. Mention of data access as an important element to ensure that data ownership is not a barrier to the purchase and maintenance of electric vehicles.
• Québec Solidaire: Recognition of the role of the aftermarket in the Quebec economy. However, Québec Solidaire does not aim to replace the vehicle fleet through the purchase of zero-emission vehicles. They prefer to adapt existing internal combustion engine vehicles to make them electric. Moreover, they intend to focus their efforts towards public transportation.
• Coalition Avenir Québec: Plan to electrify transportation. This would include obligations to manufacturers and incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles. Willingness for with a plan to electrify heavy vehicles (long-haul trucks, buses) rather than individual cars and trucks. Develop the production of electric batteries in Quebec.
• Parti Québécois: Develop an electric vehicle industry in Quebec (types of vehicles not specified). Impose 50 per cent electric vehicles on the market by 2025.