Premier Dalton McGuinty Today Announced New Measures
to Help Workers Enter and Complete Apprenticeships.

New supports and incentives include:

§ Grants of up to $2,000 to apprentices and $1,000 to employers when training is successfully completed.

§ Giving apprentices the choice to complete more of their in-school training up front if work placements are temporarily unavailable.

§ Grants of up to $1,500 per term to help apprentices with the cost of school if they are not eligible for employment insurance.

These steps are part of the government's plan to strengthen Ontario's apprenticeship and skilled trades system and ensure Ontario has the skilled workers it needs to succeed in tomorrow's economy.

(See Headlines)

AIA No Longer Supports Legislated  Right to Repair

As we informed you recently, on September 29, 2009, an agreement for access to technical information, tools and training was signed by the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association (CVMA), the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers of Canada (AIAMC) and the National Automotive Trades Association (NATA).  The agreement is called the Canadian Automotive Service Information Standard (CASIS http://www.aiacanada.com/uploads/R2R/PDFs/CASIS_EN_no_sig_LR.pdf ).

At a meeting of the AIA Board of Directors yesterday, a decision was taken to put the full weight of AIA's support behind the CASIS agreement. This decision is largely based on the decision by CVMA, AIAMC and NATA last Thursday, to issue an interpretation guideline ( http://www.aiacanada.com/uploads/R2R/PDFs/CASIS_Interpretation_EN.pdf )  
to the agreement clarifying access to flash download information.

As a result of the clarification AIA is confident that resolution of the key concern for AIA members has been achieved, and therefore AIA has formally requested to become a signatory of the CASIS Agreement. By signing the agreement, AIA has come to the conclusion that support of a legislated option such as Bill C-273 to remedy the access to information issue is no longer necessary.

The end goal for the Association has always been to ensure access to the tools, training and key information required to allow the service community to fix vehicles.   AIA has always held the opinion that open dialogue within the industry is a more productive path to solving industry issue and we expect that the CASIS agreement will provide the structure to facilitate ongoing discussions with all stakeholders.  

This is positive step forward for our industry. On behalf of its members, AIA looks forward to a more collaborative and productive relationship with vehicle manufacturers in Canada and healthier business arrangements for aftermarket service providers.

If you have any questions, please contact Scott Smith or Marc Brazeau at 1-800-808-2920.

A French version of this advisory will follow.

(See Headlines)

Well-Known Niagara Falls Collision Shop Owner Passes Away

Danny D'Addio, owner of Maple Leaf Collision in Niagara Falls, was riding in Niagara-on-the-Lake on September 3 when he collided with another cyclist and succumbed to his injuries three days later.  Police have asked any witnesses to this incident, which occurred between Victoria and Gate Streets around noon to call 905-688-4111.

Danny D'Addio was a well respected business person in the community with many years involved in building a professional collision repair business.  The local Chamber of Commerce featured a number of his activities in their newsletters including his movement towards environmentally-friendly paint product.

At age 71, he was the envy of many 30-year olds for his stamina and community cycling efforts and conquered a 200 kilometer fund-raising event recently.  Danny exceeded his goal of cycling fund raising for the Conquer Cancer program and raised some $3200 recently for that charity. He was the organizer of the first Terry Fox run in 1985.

He was proud of his real estate activities and his shop in Niagara Falls and will be missed by his family and the industry.

(See Headlines)

Dundas Valley Collision Helps Seniors See Clearly

DUNDAS, ON -- October 5, 2009 -- Dundas Valley Collision Centre's Free Aquapel Windshield Treatment for Seniors was a big hit with free treatments given to more than 24 vehicles. Aquapel is a windshield treatment manufactured by PPG Coatings, who helped by donating the materials. The treatment helps repel rain from car glass and makes driving easier. It is available to collision repair facilities and bodyshops.

(See Headlines)

MINISTRY SERIOUS ABOUT VEHICLE BODY
REPAIR SHOP INITIATIVE IN ONTARIO

Over 100 inspectors attend day-long training program

Over 100 inspectors from the Central region of the Ontario Ministry of Labour attended a full day training session to update them on their planned autobody shop inspection blitz.

Ontario Ministry of Labour occupational health and safety inspectors and employment standards inspectors will conduct a sweep of about 800  vehicle body repair workplaces in York, Durham, and Peel regions, Dufferin and Simcoe counties and the City of Toronto.

Auto body, auto refinish and collision repair shops will be visited with a new type of inspection.

“ The goal is to answer the complaints from our member shops that others around them are not meeting the same minimum standards and no “level-playing field” is evident and the reality that shops can not bear the multiple inspections from various ministries and would rather have one complete inspection , as long as their competitors received the same and then have the inspectors move on to other shops after confirming compliance” says John Norris, of the collision repair trade association.

This Ministry of Labour led initiative will also include an employment standards review, an environmental review (hazardous waste storage and does the facility have a current Certificate of Approval for their booth), and a review of the trades qualification of their production staff.

The Ministry has also listened to shops complaints and concerns and has:

-targeted shops based on telephone lists in the phone book, not who is WSIB registered

-started a training program to update their staff on specific features and activities at shops

-will be offering a series of workshops across the regions to bring support and help to shops that need assistance

-reviewed a plan to inspect “underground” facilities during evening and weekend hours

-reviewed a proposal for an in-depth inspection of mobile operators

A number of trade associations will be assisting in providing help and assistance to shops and the Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA) will be active in providing further assistance.

For more information, please contact your collision repair trade association at  1 866 309 4272 or info@ciia.com   More information is available on the industry help site at www.autobodyhelp.ca

(See Headlines)

FORD OF CANADA NOW CANADIAN USER FRIENDLY

As a continuation of the co-operation that exists between the affiliate associations of the National Automotive Trades Association and the 19 car companies in Canada, Ford today advised that their parts and service web site is now available to Canadian service and repair shops.

Ford signed an agreement on September 29, with the association , at an Ottawa news conference that obligated Ford to make their service and repair information available across Canada and moved to ensure that happened within three days.

Car companies have until May 1, 2010 to make this information available , but many car makers already have done so and all will have made information, training and tools available by May 1, 2010.

A copy of the national voluntary agreement is available at www.ciia.com or www.natacanada.com

(See Headlines)

NEW MASSIVE OPPORTUNITIES NOW OPEN FOR
COLLISION REPAIR SHOPS IN CANADA

OEM voluntary agreement now means shops can access information

On Tuesday September 29, 2009, the federal Industry Minister announced that the original equipment automakers and importers had signed an agreement with the aftermarket association representing the service and repair providers in automotive repair in Canada.

To shops that may sound very positive , but they are asking what this means for them.

With all 19 car makers and importers signing the agreement, all shops, association members or not, will be able to access all the information that previously only a car dealership possessed.  All information including the structural information, metal strengths, training and tools will be available. Your association has ensured a complaint resolution program is available that quickly can handle any inquiries, that a number of sub-committees are properly populated in order to address specific issues, and that new information is available in a timely fashion (when the dealer receives it) at a commercially available price and time frame.

“NO longer do shops face the spectre of having to turn more and more cars away or send partially completed cars to the dealership, unless they want to.  This means that shops can now concentrate on certain makes and models as their marketplace allows and do the work themselves.  Consumers will now have a choice on where to repair their vehicles, repair costs will decrease and insurance companies will get the claimant's vehicles on the road faster,” said the collision repair association's John Norris, who worked on the agreement.

The agreement has been called a “living document” that can replace Bill C-273 or the “Right to Repair Act” currently waiting for federal Committee review.  The agreement can be modified to meet any future issues or technological changes.   The agreement can be accessed at www.natacanada.com

As cars require more electronics in repair needs and less “nuts and bolts”, the need for information, training and tools to fix these cars becomes critical to the future survival of many shops.  Some manufacturers already had information available, but this agreement now covers all manufacturers and importers.

For more information , please contact your association at  1 866 309 4272 or info@ciia.com

(See Headlines)

Minister of Industry Applauds Voluntary Accord on
Access to Vehicle Repair Information

OTTAWA, September 29, 2009 — Industry Minister Tony Clement today welcomed the news that vehicle manufacturers in Canada have come to a voluntary agreement to equip independent service and repair providers with access to important information and tools for the repair of vehicles.

"This accord is a victory for consumers," said Minister Clement, at a press conference held at Rolland Levesque & Sons garage, in Ottawa. "It maintains choice in the vehicle repair marketplace by providing independent repair shops with access to the same information and tools as dealerships."

Minister Clement wrote to all car manufacturers earlier this year asking them to find a solution to the issue, referred to as "right to repair." This voluntary system is fashioned after a similar agreement in the United States. It was negotiated and signed by the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers of Canada and the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association, which represent every vehicle manufacturer and distributor in Canada, and the National Automotive Trades Association, which represents the aftermarket service sector.

Vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket sector in the United States worked together to develop the National Automotive Service Task Force.

The federal government places a high importance on consumer protection and support for a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace in Canada. This agreement provides an environment for independent service providers to compete directly and provide consumers with quality service and choice.

(See Headlines)

MITCHELL INTERNATIONAL OFFERS I-CAR ® TRAINING TO
INDUSTRY THROUGH IN-HOUSE PROGRAM

Hoffman Estates, IL – September 10, 2009 – Mitchell International has teamed with I-CAR, The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, to offer a series of I-CAR collision repair training courses at its San Diego, CA headquarters. The courses will be open to both employees of Mitchell as well as to the general public.

The information services provider currently employs 1300 individuals and sees I-CAR training as one of the best ways of ensuring that team members have up-to-date information on collision repair procedures. Classes are intended for the labor staff, or the team that develops labor times for the collision repair database. All of Mitchell's labor editors must achieve and maintain the I-CAR Platinum Individual ® designation, which initially requires 10 units of I-CAR training, and is followed by two units of continuing training each year.

Labor and Specialty Database Manager Wayne Krause, who also is an I-CAR instructor, believes that providing the Mitchell facility as a central location for the classes is a way for the organization to give back to the inter-industry.

“Given the fact that part of Mitchell's labor time development involves the utilization of I-CAR best practices, it was felt as a way to extend that knowledge to the rest of the industry,” said Krause.

Senior Vice President Marc Brungger added, “Mitchell is committed to providing timely and relevant information to the industry and working with I-CAR is not only a great fit for our product, but it allows us to give back to the industry by offering a location for a wide range of training.”

- - More - -

Mitchell began offering classes in August and will continue offering them throughout the year. The list of classes that have been offered or will be taught includes:

•  Fundamentals of Collision Repair (FCR01) - August 24

•  Vehicle Identification, Estimating Systems and Terminology (DAM01) - August 26

•  Collision Repair for Select High Volume Vehicles (POP01) - August 31, September 28, and October 14

•  Vehicle Technology and Trends 2010 (NEW10) - September 2, September 30, and October 19

•  Frontal Impact Analysis (DAM02) - September 7

•  Overview of Cycle Time Improvements for the Collision Repair Process (CYC01) - September 9 and October 21

•  Mechanical Systems Analysis (DAM03) - September 14

•  Restraints, Interior, Glass, Side and Rear Impact Analysis (DAM04) - September 21

•  Aluminum Panels and Structures Damage Analysis (DAM05) - September 23

•  Steering and Suspension Damage Analysis (DAM06) - October 5

•  Corrosion Protection (CPS01) - October 7

•  Hazardous Materials, Personal Safety, and Refinish Safety (WKR01) - October 14

All classes are being offered at Mitchell International, 9970 Carroll Canyon Road, San Diego, CA 92126. Students interested in attending a class can register on the I-CAR website at www.i-car.com .

### 

 I-CAR, founded in 1979, is an international not-for-profit training organization dedicated to improving the quality, safety, and efficiency of auto collision repair for the ultimate benefit of consumers.

Mitchell International ( www.mitchell.com ) is a leading provider of information, workflow, workers' compensation, medical bill review, and performance management solutions to the automotive insurance claims industry, serving carriers, collision repair facilities, and other commercial participants in the physical damage and auto-related medical claims markets. Mitchell facilitates millions of electronic transactions between more than 25,000 business partners each month to enhance their productivity, profitability, and customer satisfaction levels.

(See Headlines)

GEICO PHILANTHROPIC donates $21,000 to I-CAR ®
EDUCATION FOUNDATION for educational support

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL – September 16, 2009– Along with donating $15,000 to the I-CAR Education Foundation's Collision Repair Education Campaign, the GEICO Philanthropic Foundation is proud to announce additional scholarship opportunities for students studying collision repair.

The GEICO Scholarship Program will offer a $1,500 tuition-and-tool-purchase scholarship to each of four recipients – $1,000 for tuition reimbursement and $500 for tool purchases – for an additional total of $6,000.    The schools selected for this scholarship are in New York, Washington, DC, Florida, and California.  

The I-CAR Education Foundation's Collision Repair Education Campaign allows the Education Foundation to provide annual grants and scholarships to support schools, instructors, and students in collision education .

“This is an exciting program because it is not only a new scholarship, but also our first student tool grant,” says Scott Kruger, I-CAR Education Foundation Executive Director. “Collision technicians can have thousands of dollars invested in the tool boxes and, thanks to GEICO, graduating collision techs will be able to get a good start on their tool collection as well as help pay for their education.”

“We are happy to help support efforts to develop a new generation of auto repair professionals,” said Don Lyons, GEICO senior vice president.  “Tomorrow's cars need top specialists with the best training and skills. We're glad to be part of this program.” 

About GEICO

GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) – as part of Berkshire Hathaway – is the third-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States*. GEICO provides auto insurance coverage for 9 million policyholders and insures more than 16 million vehicles. In addition to auto insurance, GEICO offers customers insurance products for their motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), boats, homes, apartments and mobile homes. Commercial auto insurance and personal umbrella protection and life insurance are also available.

As a member of the Berkshire Hathaway group of companies, GEICO is rated A++ for financial strength by A.M. Best Company and ranks at the top of several national customer satisfaction surveys. For more information, go to geico.com .

*A.M. Best 2008 market share data

###

The I-CAR Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to securing donations that support philanthropic and collision repair education activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation visit us on the Internet at: www.ed-foundation.org.

(See Headlines)

I-CAR ® INTRODUCES NEW DAMAGE ANALYSIS AND GM VEHICLE-SPECIFIC COURSES TO THE INDUSTRY

 HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL – September 18, 2009 – I-CAR, The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair has announced that it will introduce two new classes at NACE in Las Vegas. On November 4, I-CAR will launch Damage Analysis of Advanced Automotive Systems (DAM07) and Collision Repair for General Motors Vehicles (GEN03). Both programs are offered as classroom training programs. Inter-industry professionals will have the opportunity to learn the latest information about damage analysis for advanced safety and convenience systems with Damage Analysis of Advanced Automotive Systems , as well as repair considerations for General Motors vehicles with Collision Repair for General Motors Vehicles .

Inter-industry interest in advanced systems and vehicle-specific information continues to grow as repairers and insurers look for ways to identify and work on vehicles with the newest safety and convenience features. GM has defined procedures for vehicle repair and has worked hand-in-hand with I-CAR to bring a course featuring its vehicles to the industry.

“A technician's ability to properly repair a vehicle while being aware of the latest advanced systems on today's vehicles is highly important for the safety and customer satisfaction of the vehicle owner,” said Jeff Peevy, I-CAR Director of Field Operations, North America. “Knowing General Motors vehicle-specific information is helpful to those who see the many GM vehicles on a regular basis. GM has specific repair processes for each model and there can even be differences from year to year on the same model.”

The I-CAR Damage Analysis of Advanced Automotive Systems course details:

The I-CAR Collision Repair for General Motors Vehicles course details:

-More-

Registration is currently open for classes beginning in November for Damage Analysis of Advanced Automotive Systems and Collision Repair for General Motors Vehicles courses and new classes are being added to I-CAR's schedules. Information on classes scheduled in your area can be found on the I-CAR web site at www.i-car.com through the class search feature or by contacting I-CAR Customer Care at 800-422-7872.

###

I-CAR, founded in 1979, is an international not-for-profit training organization dedicated to improving the quality, safety, and efficiency of auto collision repair for the ultimate benefit of consumers. 

(See Headlines)

ROAD COLLISIONS KILL MORE PEOPLE THAN MALARIA

Each year in the developing world, more people die from traffic accidents than malaria, according to a study entitled Make Roads Safe: Decade of Action for Road Safety, prepared by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile in Paris.

The study concludes that $300 million spent globally on improving roads, campaigns to raise public awareness and more traffic police could save five million lives between 2010 and 2020. At present, 1.3 million people die yearly from traffic accidents worldwide…most of them in the lesser-developed countries. By comparison, malaria kills one million people per year-90% of them in Africa.

The annual cost of road accidents in the developing world is estimated at $100 billion- which is equivalent to all overseas aid for the developed nations of the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD).

Roads in many poor nations in Africa, Asia and Latin America are packed with old cars, trucks and busses, exported from richer nations , when tighter environmental and safety controls made these vehicles unroadworthy.

Though sales have slowed in the wake of the world economic crisis, the number of cars on the roads in developing nations is forecast to rise steeply over the next decade. India's Tata Motors plans to introduce the world's cheapest car this year and sales will likely be sky-high.

(See Headlines)

TRANSPORT CANADA TO PROVIDE NATIONAL MOTOR
VEHICLE COLLISION DATA ONLINE

In May, Transport Canada received the green light from jurisdictions to move ahead with a project to create a query system on its public website for interactive access to the National Collision Data Base (NCDB),which provides information on all police-reported motor vehicle collisions in Canada, as submitted annually by all provinces and territories. Each year, the NCDB contains about 1.3 million records.

The interactive website would give the public, media and researchers access to national collision data form 1999 to 2006 (the most recent year for which complete figures are available)) in order to create custom data tables by selecting specific variables form a list and thereby generate national collision statistics. No jurisdictional data breakdown will be available, as this information is already provided by the provinces and territories.

Transport Canada now offers collision data to clients in and out of the department, as well as statistical information in response to a large number of public requests. It is hoped that putting national motor vehicle collision data online will reduce the number of requests to Transport Canada and the jurisdictions.

A firm will likely be contracted this fiscal year to complete the evelop0ment of the web-based database to include a six month to one year pilot test before the system's public launch.

Courtesy of CCMTA

(See Headlines)

OPP SERGEANT SUBJECT TO TOWING KICKBACK PROBE

The Toronto Star reports that the Ontario Provincial Police is investigating whether a senior officer at the force's Port Credit detachment received kickbacks from tow drivers after motorists had their vehicles impounded, according to towing companies interviewed by police.

A senior officer, age 49, was arrested and charged with three counts of breach of trust and one count of attempting to obstruct justice following a criminal investigation by the OPP Standards Bureau. The OPP says the 12-year veteran of the force , allegedly used false evidence to lay charges against three drivers, two of whom had their cars impounded.

He has not been charged with accepting kickbacks.

However, owners and managers of Mississauga towing companies say OPP detectives have been asking them if they had ever paid the officer to use their services or heard about the officer allegedly receiving kickbacks from other towing companies.

(See Headlines)

A Big Win For Right To Repair -Now What?

Canada's House of Commons Votes 278 to 17 to Send Bill C-273 to the Next Stage

By Andrew Ross

The battle for a level playing field in automotive service has been waging for many years, and car dealers have often held the upper hand in terms of consumer confidence.

But when the shift to sophisticated computer controls came without accompanying access to tools and information, the independent service provider found himself in a slow spiral that held the potential to sap his ability to conduct repairs efficiently and, in some cases, finish the repair at all.

An increasing number of cases where independents had to tow vehicles to the nearest dealership simply to "flash" a computer or reset a code, using equipment not available at any price to the Canadian aftermarket (particularly when that access existed in the U. S.), eventually caused the industry to cry foul.

In the beginning, repeated attempts to forge a voluntary agreement in Canada similar to the one in the U. S., operating under the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF), failed to even get a written response by automakers, never mind get them to the table.

Some believed that a voluntary agreement could still be possible, namely groups under the National Automotive Trades Association umbrella (mostly independent service provider and collision repair associations); while others, most notably the Automotive Industries Association of Canada, a much larger group encompassing service provider associations, service chains, retailers, wholesalers, warehouse distributors, and parts and supplies manufacturers, opted to pursue legislation.

Those efforts led to the introduction of Bill C-273 this January by Windsor MP Brian Masse (NDP)--the so-called Right to Repair Bill, whose progress through the parliamentary process has been thoroughly documented in this magazine. The run-up to the vote generated more than 10,000 letters to MPs from both consumers and industry and culminated in a surprisingly positive 278-17 vote by MPs this May, sending it, as expected, to the Industry, Science and Technology committee for review.

Why Going to Committee is a Big Win

It is this move that is least understood within the aftermarket. Yes, the bill passed its first hurdle, garnering much more support than anticipated--but the successful vote only allows it to be sent for review by committee.

Some from within the aftermarket have characterized that as a defeat of sorts.

Scott Smith, legislative liaison at the AIA, says this couldn't be further from the truth.

"It is quite a stunning victory, but it is a victory to send it to committee, not to pass the bill. It doesn't mean that we have a law--but it does mean that we have an audience."

In fact, it was always anticipated that the bill would end up in committee.

Early this year, just after the bill was introduced, Smith told me that the vote was one thing; getting it through committee was a perhaps tougher job.

"I am not sure that a private member's bill ever moved through to third reading without going to committee. I'm not sure if it has ever happened.

"Generally this is the process. They look at it for constitutional issues, whether the legal instruments are appropriate. Are the appropriate regulatory tools available? Are the appropriate enforcement tools available? That's what we need to sort out at committee."

And this is where the bill may face some of its fiercest opposition, some of that coming from the aftermarket itself.

In the run-up to the vote, prompted by a letter from Industry Minister Tony Clement, automakers, their association representatives, NATA, and, yes, the AIA, finally sat together to discuss the possibility of forging a voluntary agreement, thereby making legislation unnecessary.

The result of that meeting was, in short, that the AIA did not see anything from automakers to abandon the legislative approach, while NATA signed a Letter of Intent with the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers of Canada (AIMC), the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association (CVMA), and the Automobile Dealers Association.

Proponents say a voluntary agreement has the flexibility that a legislative approach does not. In one way, this may seem like a reasonable solution, but with a bill already before the House and the push to get that LOI in place prior to a vote in the House, it was only delivered the day of the last scheduled debate, two days before the vote--which gives it the appearance of an attempt to head off legislation, rather than create an alternative industry solution.

In any case the point is moot, considering the vote's outcome.

Still, work continues on the voluntary agreement.

"From our perspective, we are going to continue developing the voluntary agreement," says NATA executive vice-president Dale Finch. "We have the Letter of Intent with the OEs and they are committed to the process. We are continuing on to finalize the voluntary agreement."

In the U. S., voluntary agreement drives the availability of information--NASTF is an aftermarket-OE body overseen by the Automotive Service Association--and by all accounts has worked well, though groups in the U. S. also continue to pursue Right to Repair legislation. (Notably, Right to Repair legislation exists in Europe, leaving Canada as one of the few major markets without wide access to repair information.)

Finch says a key justification for continuing to develop that voluntary agreement is the potential for the bill to die if there were an election, if it is rejected wholly by committee, or if it dies in a third vote. Finch also maintains that agreements such as that indicated by the Letter of Intent to create a voluntary agreement, shouldn't be dismissed out of hand.

"There are people out there who say that [the automakers] aren't bound to anything [by the agreement], but the car manufacturers work integrally with Industry Canada all the time. They can't just walk away."

He says that should a voluntary agreement come to pass, and should a signing company walk away from it, there could always be the potential for lawsuits, though he is careful not to make that sound like a threat. His, and NATA's, approach, he says, is a collaborative one, not adversarial.

And he wants people to understand that even though the legislative avenue is being pursued, efforts for a voluntary agreement have not been curtailed.

"We'd like to get everybody to understand that we have the Letter of Intent, and we are working away on an agreement.

"Our proposal is a little more comprehensive than NASTF's. We have definitively asked that the collision sector be recognized by the manufacturers, and they understand that it is a big part of their business."

He says, too, that he does not feel animus toward the AIA.

"[Association president] Marc Brazeau and the AIA have done a fabulous job with this bill. They did an awesome job in bringing this to Canadians' attention and I really appreciate that."

However, NATA's official communiqués surrounding the issue have not always reflected this respectful tone.

"Be careful what you ask for" was the warning of a NATA release opposing the pursuit of a purely legislative solution, following the vote on the Right to Repair Bill. The release also contained a passage stating that NATA represents "just the grass roots repairers and not companies who manufacture and distribute knock-off parts." That last term has, to put it mildly, raised the ire of many in the aftermarket. It is a phrase that, Finch says, he would take back if he could. And, to his credit, he says that the impact of that term was unanticipated, unintentional, and that he was making amends with members of the AIA board.

But none of this changes the fact that Finch, along with NATA, the CVMA, the AIAMC, and individual automakers are not only going to continue to pursue a voluntary agreement, but work vigorously to convince the Industry, Science and Technology committee that the Right to Repair Bill is not necessary and to scrap it.

"It's just our belief. We look at things differently. I'm not going to go and start a fight about this. We're just looking for something that will protect the industry going forward," says Finch.

Taking Action: What Now?

Come this fall, those supporting the legislative approach will be watching closely what happens to the bill in committee, since it will play a huge role in what actually happens to the legislation next. Potentially, it could be so drastically changed that it does not accomplish the goal of the bill, and it gets killed altogether.

The various groups watching the issue will all be making proposals, from NATA and the car companies, to the AIA, the CAA, the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, and, no doubt, others.

Providing the bill gets through committee and back to the House for third reading, it would still have to pass a vote. After that, it goes to the Senate, which is critical.

Though the timelines of the Senate are indeterminate, once a bill gets to the Senate, it won't die if an election is called, only be delayed.

So the big battles that await the bill are in committee and in the House, to get it to the Senate, and of course ultimately to get it signed into law. The biggest threat is an early election, which would derail the whole process.

AIA president Marc Brazeau says that even though there is a long road ahead, getting the bill to this point is a big step forward. He is particularly pleased with the degree to which the consumer press has picked up on the issue.

"It means that the issue of Right to Repair is resonating with people, and [given] the fact that we are facing the closure of a number of dealerships, there is a greater need to ensure that there is access to repair information in the aftermarket."

He says that while those who have been working inside the aftermarket for a solution may see it as a critical industry issue, the importance of consumers' attention to the issue should not be underestimated.

"It's critical at this point. At the end of the day, Parliamentarians are out there listening to consumers, what their constituents are saying, and taking action where action is required.

"Consumer reaction, consumer interest in the issue, is certainly helping us drive government to take action."

And the opposition?

"We're not expecting those groups to back off. We expect they will continue to push for a voluntary agreement. The car companies [say they] prefer that avenue, but we have been denied [access] at every opportunity.

"Our position is that we feel that the bill is before Parliament and it has been before Parliament since January. We believe that this is the process that needs to be followed. To not do that would be a terrible thing.

"At the end of the day, if the car companies are serious about solving the issue, why are they scared of the legislation? They will have their opportunity to make their pitch and provide their feedback and that is what we expect the car companies to do."

In the few short months between now and when the Right to Repair Bill goes before the committee, Brazeau says there are important actions to be taken.

"I would encourage all stakeholders to take the opportunity to contact their MP. The MPs will be recessing and not returning till late September. This is a great opportunity to engage their local member of the government, and tell them that the best way to fix the problem is to create a level playing field in the automotive service market.

"MPs look to reach out to their constituents every summer; this is an ideal time for the aftermarket industry to deliver that message. When those MPs return to Ottawa, they will have a greater appreciation for the importance of this bill."

As this is being written, the Liberals are talking of an election being forced this summer. And, while the wisdom of insiders say that one before next spring is not likely, an earlier call is not an impossibility.

This would, of course, kill the bill and every other bill currently before the House. For the record, the AIA's Smith says that, because the Right to Repair Bill has made it so far in the process, if an election were to come, the chance of the bill being reintroduced again is very good.

Whether you are on the legislative side of the debate, or believe that a voluntary agreement would fill the void in tools and information in a way that you may be more comfortable with, the issue is on the radar with the industry, the public, and politicians like never before.

And whether the bill succeeds in the House this time around, has to be reintroduced again later, or whether a voluntary agreement continues and succeeds, there is no denying that whatever the near future holds for the Right to Repair issue, there is no going back now.

*Courtesy of Jobber News

(See Headlines)

Environment Canada Announces New Regulation

Environment Canada Released Their New Regulations On low-VOC Paints

As expected shops are not going to be regulated, only the product they use.  Starting June 2010, paint manufacturers will be restricted in importing and manufacturing only compliant low-VOC product.  They can continue to sell the "old" product until January 2011.

This means that many shops will find that the continued supply of their older coating products will become a challenge and they will be obligated to change over their product lines, usually to a waterborne low-VOC paint product.

Changeover costs for shops is identified at 326 million dollars with a worst case scenario of $776 million, including compliancy Certificate of Approval costs in Ontario. Your association's compliancy work with the Ontario Ministry of Environment has reduced shop costs by 2.7 million dollars.

Costs for shops are expected to be between 1-2.5% of sales.  Originally these costs were identified by Environment Canada as non-recoverable, but that prediction has been dropped in the new Regulation. It is expected that some shops will close due to these increased costs.

Current VOC emissions from auto refinish shops in Canada are estimated to be 5.5 kilotonnes, down from the 14.5 kilotonnes identified in the "Shapiro" study that predated the last series of guidelines and standards in 1998.  This regulation is expected to reduce thie industry emission volume by a further 40%.  However, in comparison with Canada's total VOC emissions, this reduction represents less than one tenth of one percent reduction.

There are a number of exemptions in the regulation, including allowing aerosol containers to still be used, allowing mobile paint operators to continue using non-compliant coatings, to exempting acetic acid and dimethylethyl ester, and allowing non-compliant coatings for new-car manufacture.  Paint companies can still manufacture non-compliant coatings provided the product must be diluted prior to use or if they have a federal permit. 

A federal permit can be issued if the paint company advises that it is not technically or economically feasible to reduce the VOC concentration in a product.  This exemption permit can last up to four years and a further sales flow-through is allowed. For most shops, this regulation simply finalizes some dates for paint companies. As the dates move closer, product availability will become restricted. 

Shops need to look at their products now and make plans for product continued availability. If your product on your shelf will meet the new standards then you need not worry.  If not, shops should contact their paint company and work out their needs for a possible product changeover. 

Although not mentioned in the regulation, waterborne technologies are widely regarded as a positive alternative to current coatings. Your association will continue to help and will provide discounted compliance help as ALL shops that changeover will require new Ontario Certificate of Approvals for their painting. 

Call the office at  1 866 309 4272 for help or see www.autobodyhelp.ca

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With small shops facing significant financial burdens in buying new equipment to meet the requirements of water-based paint application, Industry Canada has announced a program that should help.

"One of the issues we continually raised with Environment Canada during the low-VOC paint discussions, was the real difficulties that small shops were experiencing at the bank or their financial institution where credit rules have been toughened." said John Norris, NATA Collision Chair." This program allows lenders a much high degree of safety and security in lending equipment financing monies to shops."

The program under the Small Business Financing Directorate of Industry Canada (CSBF) will allow small for-profit businesses with gross annual revenues of less than $5 million, to better access up to $350,000 for purchasing leasehold improvements or improving leased property or purchasing or improving new or used equipment (like a spray booth).

Discuss your business needs with a financial officer at any bank, caisse populaire or credit union in Canada. The financial officer will review your business proposal and make a decision on your loan application. Once the decision is made to offer financing under the program, the financial institution will register the loan with Industry Canada.

Loans can be used for financing up to 90% of the cost. You can use the money to finance buildings and lands, commercial vehicles and production equipment. Maximum chargeable rate by your financial institution is the lender's prime lending rate plus 3% for variable rate loans with fixed rate amounts being lender's single-family residential mortgage rate plus 3%.

A registration fee of 2% of the total amount loaned under the program must also be paid by the borrower to the lender, and can be financed as part of the loan. Lenders are required to take security on the assets financed. The registration fee and a portion of the interest are submitted to Industry Canada by the lender to help offset the costs of this program for the government.

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Summer-The Best and Worst of Times for Young Workers
MOL blitz focuses on this vulnerable group in June

School's out and summer jobs beckon. Young workers, some of them entering the job market for the first time in their lives, start out eager to please and breathtakingly inexperienced.

It can be a formula for tragedy.

Between 2001 and 2008, workers aged 15 to 24 sustained 573 critical injuries. During that period, 27 individuals died as a result of workplace injuries-shattering the lives of families, friends and colleagues.

Rob Ellis lives this reality daily. His 18-year-old son David died 10 years ago as a result of a preventable workplace incident on his second day at work, a heartbreaking example of the fact that injuries are four times more likely to occur during the first month on the job than at any other time.

That's why Ellis, president of Our Youth at Work, and a former president of a business servicing the food and restaurant industry, applauds the MOL's decision to focus on young and new workers in June . "The blitz tells us that the Ministry of Labour is protecting the health and safety of Ontario's future leaders," he says. "It knows that the way to achieve The Road to Zero [injuries, illnesses and fatalities] is by transferring knowledge to young workers, and making sure they understand that the government cares about and respects them."

Keep kids safe by emphasizing the basics

Since David's death, Rob has become a tireless advocate for the well-being of other people's children. He knows that managing risk doesn't have to be a costly proposition, and continually encourages employers to revisit the basics of what he calls "OT"-orientation and training.

What does great OT look like? "Show new workers every possible place where they might slip, fall, or get cut or burned," says Ellis. "There's no need to hand out a thick training manual. Just set up a really good buddy system. Make the buddy responsible for never leaving a new worker's side-especially in the first 30 days when most of the injuries occur."

If the MOL arrives at your door, will you be ready?

OT is a critical component of your health and safety program that MOL inspectors will be looking for during the blitz. You'll need to demonstrate that your young and new workers are properly trained, supervised and meet minimum age requirements. The MOL suggests employers ask themselves five questions to get ready:

1. Is the workplace prepared for new workers? Are you in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act? Do workers meet minimum ages for work, and do you have competent supervisors?
2. Are new workers ready for work? Have you checked workers' prior education, experience and qualifications? Do workers know their rights and responsibilities?
3. Is there comprehensive safety orientation? Have you showed new workers where to find health and safety instructions? Put emergency procedures and personal protective equipment in place?
4. Is job-specific training well done and validated? Do workers understand the training you've provided before new tasks are assigned? Are your trainers competent?
5. Are workers supervised adequately? Are your supervisors providing regular instruction and supervision?

MOL zeroing in on the service sector

The service sector is a magnet for young workers, especially during summer months. Inspectors will be honing in on a wide range of workplaces where new and young workers can be found; for example:

• Retail stores
• Wholesalers
• Restaurants
• Vehicle sales and service outlets
• Hotels and other tourism outlets

Lost-time injuries hurt more than people

• According to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), young workers employed in occupations such as sales and service, transport/equipment operators, and labourers in processing, manufacturing and utilities, had the highest number of allowed lost-time claims for on-the-job injuries.
• In 2007, the average cost (direct and indirect) to employers of a lost-time workplace injury was $106,500.
• Between April 1, 2004, and March 31, 2008, declining rates of lost-time workplace injuries have saved employers more than $5 billion in direct and indirect costs.

For more information

Check out these resources for insights and answers:

• The MOL news release and backgrounder on the young worker blitz: check out "Headlines" or "News Releases" at www.labour.gov.on.ca
• The WSIB Young Worker Awareness Program: www.ywap.ca
• The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) "Young Workers Zone": www.ccohs.ca/youngworkers/
• The Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA): search on "young workers" at www.ossa.com .
• Find out how being a workplace champion at one of Rob Ellis's "My Safe Work" Simulcasts events can reach thousands: www.mysafework.com .

The Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA) is your WSIB-approved provider of health and safety solutions, and your trusted advisor in developing a prevention program for your organization that will help keep new and young workers healthy and safe. Call OSSA at 1-888-478-6772 or email info@ossa.com .

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COLLISION REPAIR TRADE ASSOCIATION OFFERS TRAINING
COURSES FOR LESS THAN $3 EACH

WHMIS, ISOCYANATES and AUTOMOTIVE LIFT TRAINING
are some of the courses being offered.

Calling it a major shift in how training is offered in the collision repair industry, the Collision Industry Information and Assistance.com (www.ciia.com ), representing Ontario-based collision repair associations, today started offering online training in 23 different courses for less than $3.00 each. "Our members have been asking about isocyanate and Vehicle Lift Safety in order to meet Ministry requirements in their shops, and we wanted to provide for them a quick, easy inexpensive training solution. In cooperation with E.A.G.L. Enterprises in Pickering, Ontario, we are now able to offer health, safety and management training courses online that shops and staff can access at any time," says Mark Timson, a Caledonia area shop owner and a director of www.ciia.com "Our instructor-led WHMIS course and our six-night Basic Estimating course are popular and are taken at our training centre or at a shop location. Also, we wanted to offer programs to help member shops that were more geographically distant. Vehicle Lift Safety courses are important and we could not arrange for a physical delivery of that course to date." Member shops can access the collision repair industry web site at http://www.ciia.com/provinces/ontario/itraining.html .  Registration forms can be faxed, e-mailed or completed online.  Member shops can call Monica at 1 866 309 4272 for more information.  Member shops pay $60.00 plus GST and get access to any or all of the courses for a full year.  Completion documents are provided after the member successfully completes an individual course exam online.  A training certificate identifying all courses taken is issued annually. Other courses offered include Fire Safety, Back Safety, Due Diligence, Joint Health and Safety Committee, Understanding Bill C-45, Safety Inspections, Office Ergonomics, Stretches and Heat Stress.

For more information or to access online training courses call 1 866 309 4272 or e-mail info@ciia.com

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----------------------Autobody Profitability Workbook (82 pages)-------------------------

-------Issues Facing The Canadian Collision Repair Industry (39 pages)------------

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