Right to Repair - Canadian farmers urged to take the Online Survey

Aug 13, 2024
By Jean-Paul McDonald
Assistant Editor, North American Content, Farms.com

Ensure the unique considerations for repairability in this sector are addressed and farmers’ voices are heard

In Budget 2024, the federal government committed to launching consultations on the right to repair for products, including farm equipment. A consultation is currently underway to gather feedback from Canadians to help inform policy direction.

The online feedback period will be open until September 26, 2024.

The Government of Canada, through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), is seeking public input on a potential repairability policy for farm equipment as well as home appliances and consumer electronics. This initiative focuses on enhancing durability, repairability, and interoperability of consumer products.

The goal is to develop a policy that supports consumer choice, including options for authorized repairs by manufacturers, independent repairers, and self-repair by consumers.

The Right to repair aims to promote sustainability and support a circular economy by making it easier for consumers to repair and maintain their products.

To participate in the consultation, Canadians are encouraged to read the consultation document and complete the survey questionnaire, which is the preferred method. Feedback can also be submitted via email to isrighttorepair-ledroitalareparationsi@ised-isde.gc.ca.

Following the online feedback period, ISED and ECCC will conduct roundtable discussions with various consumer and industry stakeholders. Additionally, AAFC will host targeted discussions focused on farm equipment, addressing the unique considerations for repairability in this sector.

This consultation represents a significant step toward enhancing the repairability of consumer products and ensuring that Canadians have more options for maintaining and extending the life of their purchases.

Photo Credit: Freepik.com

Video: Understanding the Basics of the Renewable Fuel Standard

On Friday, April 24, 2026, from 12 noon–1:00 ET, the Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, alongside the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s (PDA) Agricultural Business Development Center (ABDC), presented this webinar in the Understanding Agricultural Law Educational Series, a course designed to develop subject matter literacy and competence on fundamental issues of agricultural law for attorneys and business advisors who work with or represent agricultural or rural clients but may not necessarily specialize in agricultural law:

“Understanding the Basics of the Renewable Fuel Standard”

The Clean Air Act’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program requires transportation fuel sold in the United States to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuels such as ethanol, biodiesel, or advanced biofuels. Established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and later expanded by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the RFS is implemented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in collaboration with the Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

This webinar provides an overview of the legal authority and structure for the RFS program and explain how it works, including the program’s system of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) and categories of renewable fuels. Additionally, this webinar addresses EPA annual volume requirement rulemaking and associated recent legal issues.