MLA hopes to enhance consumer protection

A young Edmonton MLA has put forward a private member’s bill that aims to give motorists more information and protection when paying for car repairs. “It’s a framework for consumers to come to a repair shop and have a better understanding of what their rights are as a consumer, but also what the industry’s responsibilities are,” said Jon Carson, the NDP representative for Edmonton-Meadowlark. If passed, Bill 203 would enhance the safeguards already in place under Alberta’s Fair Trading Act, he said. New protections in the bill include a requirement for car repair shops to provide an estimate before they can charge customers for any work, unless those customers decline the estimate or specify a maximum amount they will pay ahead of time. In addition, the bill calls for repair shops to provide warranties on all parts installed and the labour required to install them for at least 90 days or 5,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. Carson, 24, said he hasn’t heard any significant complaints about repair shop practices, nor has he had any negative experiences himself. He said the idea for the bill came from studying similar legislation in Ontario and Manitoba. “It went over quite well there,” he said. “Going to repair shops is something we do a lot, so I think it’s important to have legislation that (allows) consumers to be educated about the industry and have a framework to be able to go to an auto repair shop and feel prepared.” As a private member’s bill, Bill 203 will receive less time for discussion than government bills, and is not subject to a government whipped vote. Nonetheless, Carson hopes to win the support of his NDP colleagues and those in the opposition.