Ontario mulls the idea of affordable cell phone repairs

TORONTO (660 NEWS) – It’s one of the worst feelings ever! You crack the screen on your new smartphone, leaving you with the choice of a costly repair or a new cell phone altogether.

The struggle was very real for a member of the Ontario Legislature who is now hoping to change that.

Last month, Ontario Liberal MPP Michael Couteau introduced a ‘Right to Repair’ Bill that would give cell phone users the right to affordable repairs and the resources to do it themselves.

The bill caught the attention of Sarah Leamon, a Criminal Defense lawyer from Vancouver who wrote her own article about the need for this legislation.

“I just saw it as being a win, win, win for everybody. Consumers, small business, as well as the environment and that, happens so rarely. It definitely intrigued me when I saw it.”

One of the biggest supports for the legislation is the impact on the environment as Leamon says it will lead to fewer phones being thrown away. Even phones that are sent to recycling use a large amount of energy according to Leamon.

Unfortunately, some companies such as Apple and IBM are opposed to such laws.

“Because they, essentially, cut into their profits,” says Leamon. “At the end of the day, if it makes sense for the consumer, if it makes sense for the environment, it makes sense for everybody.”

Similar bills have been debated in European Union countries and similar laws giving consumers the right to affordable vehicle repairs has been introduced in some states.

The ‘Right to Repair’ Bill went through first reading in the Ontario Legislature on February 21 and is awaiting review by a committee.

Leamon hopes that the bill will become law and that other provinces can follow suit.

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