Reduction at the source

To make repair more accessible throughout Canada

Last year, the Quebec government adopted legislation to stop programmed obsolescence and to improve access to repair in the province (in part thanks to years of work by Équiterre and the 15,000 people who signed our petition), and now it’s the federal government’s turn to create something similar for the entire country.

The Canadian government is holding public consultations until September 26 to hear what Canadians have to say about access to repair. What types of appliances or electronics do you think should be included in this future policy? All Canadians are invited to complete the questionnaire.

If you’d like to participate and are looking for some inspiration, feel free to have a look at the recommendations that Équiterre submitted!

Mobility

Second-hand electric vehicles, an unexploited solution

As inflation is making life increasingly expensive, opting for a second-hand electric vehicle can allow for significant savings. And if you’re looking for a smaller vehicle, it may be easier to find one on the second-hand market than to buy new - especially in North America where the trend among the auto industry is to make larger and larger cars.

The federal government recently missed an opportunity to improve the situation by deciding to impose significant tariffs on the arrival of smaller and less expensive electric cars from China. Équiterre had advocated for an approach in which the government would provide drivers with more choices and better price points, while at the same time protecting Canadian investments and jobs.

For those who need a car, our Running Electric initiative is having a contest this month, offering drivers the chance to win a $24,000 credit for the purchase or lease of an electric car.

Summertime in Quebec has once again been marked by extreme weather events. Torrential rains, heat waves and forest fires have caused significant damage to people, homes and ecosystems - unfortunately becoming our new normal. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, and our communities are not adequately prepared to protect themselves. 

Forest fires, like the ones that recently hit Jasper, are particularly damaging. Beyond the destruction of forests, communities and the many health impacts, forest fires are also contributing to climate change because of the emissions from the smoke.

Burning fossil fuels has caused climate change. To prevent the consequences of climate change from getting worse, we must stop burning fossil fuels. With 80 other organizations, we’re calling on the government to protect Canadians by regulating the oil and gas sector.

Were you at the 2019 march where half a million people hit the streets in Montreal? Five years later, Équiterre and our partners are calling for another big mobilization, Pour la suite du monde, on September 27. We’ve had enough of government inaction and are calling for a true environmental and social transition. 

Join us to demand that our governments be open to dialogue with the public and that they take ambitious action towards a safer, greener and more just future. Together, we can build the Quebec of tomorrow!

Demonstrations will be held in Montreal and across Quebec. We look forward to seeing you there.

Have you ever bought a product that claimed to be “green” or “environmentally-friendly” but wasn’t really? The Competition Bureau wants to hear what Canadians think about greenwashing in order to set the orientations for a new federal law, which would oblige companies to back up their environmental claims.

The Pathways Alliance (a group of the largest oil producers in Canada), for example, has been falsely claiming that their work is respectful of the environment! But there are many other examples of greenwashing out there, and it’s up to us as consumers to call out the abuse. The government wants to hear from its citizens, and all are welcome to participate. Équiterre and our partners will also be submitting our comments.