As of last week, Canada has become the first country to pass federal laws supporting the “right to repair,” giving Canadians the legal ability to fix their own devices, from ice cream machines and tractors to game consoles.
Bills C-244 and C-294 were given Royal Ascent, which now let Canadians bypass digital locks, or “technological protection measures” (TPMs), without breaking copyright law—a huge shift noted by tech repair gurus and right to repair advocates, iFixit.
Until now, TPMs have restricted even basic repairs, requiring special permissions or tools for devices that could otherwise be fixed at home or by third-party services.
TPMs were originally designed to prevent piracy but soon became a barrier for anyone trying to repair devices, whether a broken Xbox, farming equipment, or a smart fridge. Now, with Bill C-244, consumers can legally bypass these restrictions for repairs, and Bill C-294 adds rights to connect and use parts from different brands.
According to iFixit, these new bills represent a big win for Canadian farmers, gamers, and DIY repair fans, who no longer have to rely on manufacturers for every fix. The company has numerous tools to let Apple customers dismantle their devices.
CanRepair, the Canadian Right to Repair coalition, has played a crucial role in pushing for Canada’s new right-to-repair laws. The group has tirelessly advocated for bills like C-244 and C-294, which now make it legal for Canadians to repair their own devices by bypassing digital locks.
However, some hurdles remain. The laws still prevent the sale of specialized repair tools in Canada, which means consumers can fix their devices but might struggle to get the tools they need legally. Advocates say more changes are needed to make repair truly accessible, especially as manufacturers often limit access to necessary parts and manuals. So while we have a win when it comes to repair laws, those that want to repair their own stuff still need access to tools.
Do you like to perform DIY fixes on your own stuff? Or do you just give up and curb stomp your busted printer in a random field like the rest of us?
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This is a win for sure.
But this void the warranty?
That's what I'm afraid of. I'm sure there's a catch, somewhere..
Cant wait for people to complain to companies when they mess up their own repair lol