The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications has taken note of concerns expressed by AIA Canada on behalf of the aftermarket industry.
The committee released its report identifying regulatory and technical issues related to the deployment of automated and connected vehicles.
The report, titled Driving Change: Technology and the Future of the Automated Vehicle includes a section on ‘Data Access and Competition’ with recommendations for Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada “to monitor the impact of automated and connected vehicle technology on competition between the various sectors of the automotive and mobility industries, in order to ensure that sectors such as the aftermarket and car rental companies continue to have access to the data they need to offer their services.”
This section of the report indicates that AIA’s concerns, originally expressed back in May 2017 by President Jean-François Champagne and Vice President France Daviault, were clearly considered.
AIA says it had expressed concern for the increasing amount of vehicle data being generated by telematics technology and the control of that data by vehicle manufacturers. The association advised that the aftermarket industry requires fair access to vehicle data for repair and diagnostic purposes and to ensure fair competition in the marketplace.
In addition to advocating for access to vehicle data, AIA Canada also asked the government to invest in the current and future workforce, ensuring that the sector is able and prepared to repair the vehicles of the future. Included in this report are committee recommendations for “Economic and Social Development Canada to continue to work closely with the provinces and territories in order to strengthen retraining, skills upgrading and employment support for Canadians facing labour market disruption.”
AIA Canada says it will continue to focus on these two key files throughout the year and foreseeable future, and also work with government stakeholders to ensure implementation of the Senate Committee’s recommendations.
