Canada

05 rights granted

1. 01

   Right to circumvent TPMs for diagnosis, maintenance and repair (federal)

   Bill C-244 amended the federal Copyright Act so that bypassing a technological protection measure (TPM) is no longer an infringement when done solely to diagnose, maintain or repair a product that contains a copyrighted work — for example, the firmware on a phone, laptop or appliance. The amendment took effect on Royal Assent, 7 November 2024. It does not by itself force manufacturers to provide parts, tools or documentation.

   Applies to smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop-computer, tv, washing-machine, dishwasher, refrigerator, consumer-electronics

   An Act to amend the Copyright Act (Diagnosis, Maintenance and Repair) — Bill C-244, S.C. 2024, c. 24
2. 02

   Right to circumvent TPMs for device interoperability (federal)

   Bill C-294, given Royal Assent the same day as C-244, allows TPM circumvention for the sole purpose of making one computer program interoperable with another. Useful when a manufacturer locks a part to a specific device or accessory.

   Applies to smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop-computer, tv, washing-machine, dishwasher, refrigerator, consumer-electronics

   An Act to amend the Copyright Act (Interoperability) — Bill C-294, S.C. 2024, c. 25
3. 03

   Right to spare parts and repair information (Quebec only)

   Quebec's Loi 29 (assented 5 October 2023) amended the Consumer Protection Act to require, among other measures, that manufacturers and merchants make spare parts, repair services and the information needed to perform a repair available to consumers and independent repairers for a reasonable period after the contract, at a reasonable price. Provisions are phased into force between 2024 and 2026.

   Applies to smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop-computer, tv, washing-machine, dishwasher, refrigerator, consumer-electronics

   Loi modifiant la Loi sur la protection du consommateur afin notamment de lutter contre l'obsolescence programmée — S.Q. 2023, c. 24 (Bill 29)
4. 04

   Right to be told a product's expected useful life (Quebec only)

   Quebec's Loi 29 obliges merchants and manufacturers to disclose the average duration over which a product is expected to operate normally, and prohibits 'planned obsolescence' techniques that shorten that duration. Consumers can rely on this representation in disputes about premature failure.

   Applies to smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop-computer, tv, washing-machine, dishwasher, refrigerator, consumer-electronics

   Quebec Consumer Protection Act, R.S.Q., c. P-40.1 (consolidated)
5. 05

   Implied warranty of durability and fitness

   Outside Quebec, federal and provincial sale-of-goods and consumer-protection statutes imply that goods must be of reasonable durability and fit for their ordinary use. Consumers who experience premature failure can demand repair, replacement or refund from the seller — though the standard is judge-made and varies by province.

   Applies to smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop-computer, tv, washing-machine, dishwasher, refrigerator, consumer-electronics

   Provincial consumer-protection and sale-of-goods statutes (varies by province)

Consumer actions

• Request repair information from the manufacturer

  1. 01Identify your product's model and serial number, plus proof of purchase.
  2. 02Contact the manufacturer in writing and ask for spare-part availability, schematic or service manual, and the price for the part you need.
  3. 03If you are in Quebec, cite Loi 29 (S.Q. 2023, c. 24) and the Consumer Protection Act's spare-parts and durability provisions.
  4. 04Outside Quebec, cite the implied warranty of fitness/durability under the relevant provincial statute and the federal Copyright Act amendment for any TPM-locked diagnostic step.

• File a complaint with the Office de la protection du consommateur (Quebec)

  1. 01Gather written evidence: invoice, warranty card, written refusals from the manufacturer or merchant.
  2. 02Submit a complaint at opc.gouv.qc.ca, citing the relevant section of the Consumer Protection Act.
  3. 03If the OPC mediates, keep dated correspondence — it can be used in a small-claims action (Cour du Québec, Division des petites créances) up to CA$15,000.
  4. 04Notify Option consommateurs or Équiterre for case-tracking and public-record purposes.

• File a complaint with your provincial consumer-protection office (other provinces)

  1. 01Find the right office: Ontario Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery, BC Consumer Protection BC, Alberta Service Alberta, etc.
  2. 02Submit a written complaint citing the relevant provincial Sale of Goods Act or Consumer Protection Act section (durability / fitness for purpose).
  3. 03If the issue is a locked diagnostic interface, cite Bill C-244 (S.C. 2024, c. 24) — circumventing the TPM is no longer copyright infringement.
  4. 04Escalate to small-claims court if the response is unsatisfactory.