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A computer that dies after a year, a cell phone screen that cracks at the slightest shock, a washing machine that no longer spins... and a big headache for those of us who are persistent enough to try to get them repaired!
Are you fed up with things that break down easily and are difficult to repair, forcing us to replace them?
In this age of overconsumption, when humanity is using up natural resources more quickly than our planet is capable of replenishing them, too many resources are being used to produce goods that too rapidly become obsolete.
But even if the will is there to break this vicious circle, the lack of information on reparability at the time of purchase makes the task difficult for consumers. Not to mention the often discouraging cost of repair: the price of the part that needs to be replaced plus the cost of labour often exceeds the purchase price of a new product.
In short, there is still work to be done to provide Quebecers with opportunities to put the option to repair ahead of buying new.
New petition: Demand more durable goods that are more easily repaired
We believe that in order to facilitate access to repair, our governments must play a significant role. If, like us, you would like it to be easier to repair your things or to have them repaired, please sign our petition!
We are working to improve the Consumer Protection Act, so that consumers can have more information regarding the durability and reparability of goods before we buy them, and to make repair much more accessible, both financially and logistically.
There are so many good reasons to make our objects last
A product that lasts a long time and that can be repaired helps to reduce the extraction of new resources to produce a new product, reduces the energy needed to manufacture and transport it, and reduces the amount of potentially toxic waste that ends up at the landfill. It also saves consumers time and money.
While we wait for the Consumer Protection Act to be strengthened, there are a number of resources currently available that consumers can use to repair objects and appliances on their own or with a little help. Here are some tips:
- Watch tutorials on the internet: Among the free and easily accessible tutorials online is the iFixit website, which has numerous repair tutorials as well as technical manuals for many products. They also sell repair kits.
- Join collaborative groups that share tools and know-how:
There are a number of Facebook groups that bring together communities of people looking to repair their items. Touski s’répare is one of the most popular ones. There, you can ask questions directly or find almost all the necessary references you need to do the repair job yourself or to get help.
Experienced volunteers can help diagnose and repair broken items: les Réparothon d’Insertech (for computers or electronics) or Repair Café (for all types of products), and Mon Atelier de quartier (for all types of products).
There are also repair workshops and tool libraries throughout the province: La Remise - Bibliothèque d'outils (Villeray, Montréal), and La Patente, atelier coopératif (Limoilou, Québec). - Search for specialized repair shops:
There are many specialized repair shops in all parts of Quebec. To find the certified electrical appliance repair outlet closest to you, visit the electrical appliance repair directory.