OTTAWA — The upcoming byelection in Battle River—Crowfoot has brought attention to the right to repair movement among rural Canadians. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is vying for a seat in this region, where farmers are increasingly frustrated with restrictions on repairing their own equipment.

Farmers in the area face challenges due to modern tractors and specialized farm machinery that rely on proprietary software. Manufacturers often use digital locks to prevent third-party repairs, forcing farmers to rely on authorized service providers. This situation is particularly burdensome for those operating on tight profit margins.

Rick Strankman, a grain farmer from eastern Alberta, expressed his frustrations. "I can tell you it’s no fun ringing the manufacturer for after-hours service, and having them charge you $50 to $100 a pop for a call-out fee," he said. Strankman’s farm is two hours from the nearest service hub, and he has resorted to using older equipment to avoid high repair costs. However, he is concerned about the sustainability of this approach. "Our combines are 2011 model year and will be 15 years old come Christmas-time … the simple depreciation on those things is more than the farm can bear," he added.

Battle River—Crowfoot spans over 52,000 square kilometers and is home to approximately 4,000 farms. The right to repair movement is gaining traction in this region, with many residents advocating for an end to manufacturer-imposed barriers that hinder repairs on consumer appliances and equipment.

Libertarian candidate Michael Harris noted that farmers he has spoken with have identified the right to repair as their primary concern in the byelection. Independent candidate Bonnie Critchley has also pledged to prioritize this issue if elected. In a recent blog post, she stated, "As an Independent in such a tight minority government, I intend on using that position to push for a private member’s bill that limits how much corporations can continue to squeeze money out of us, after we’ve already purchased their product."

Critchley criticized existing federal right to repair laws as "complicated, bureaucratic and ultimately toothless," arguing that while they make it legal to circumvent digital locks, they still prohibit the tools needed to do so. This makes repairs impractical, she said.

Green Party candidate Ashley MacDonald also emphasized the importance of the right to repair. He stated, "I feel strongly that when you purchase a much-needed piece of equipment, whether it be a tractor for your farm, a dishwasher for your home, or a register for your small business, you should not be beholden to the high cost to repair forced upon you by the manufacturer through their monopoly on replacement parts, manuals, and control over software updates."

MacDonald committed to working across party lines to ensure the right to repair is respected and legislated.

Poilievre’s campaign has not responded to inquiries about his stance on new right to repair legislation if he wins the byelection on August 18. Alissa Centivany, co-founder of the Canadian Repair Coalition, believes that supporting the right to repair would be a straightforward decision for Poilievre. "It’s an easy win that clearly benefits people in rural Alberta and other remote parts of the country," she said.

In a 2021 speech, Poilievre indicated support for a compromise on the right to repair, suggesting that manufacturers could maintain digital locks while allowing customers and third parties to bypass them without penalties.