Could Canada soon standardize USB chargers? Feds looking into it, budget says
You could soon say goodbye to that tangle of cords in your drawer, or having to buy different chargers for each of your electronic devices.
Tucked into the 2023 federal budget unveiled on Tuesday in Ottawa, the Liberals have announced plans to explore implementing a standard charging port across Canada, in an effort to save Canadians some money and reduce waste.
"Every time Canadians purchase new devices, they need to buy new chargers to go along with them, which drives up costs and increases electronic waste," reads the budget, tabled by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
- Watch live coverage of the 2023 federal budget from 4 p.m. ET
- Capital Dispatch: Sign up for in-depth political coverage of Parliament Hill
While details remain scarce, the federal government is pledging to "work with international partners and other stakeholders to explore implementing a standard charging port in Canada."
This move follows in the footsteps of the European Union, which has moved to mandate USB-C charging ports for all small handheld devices and laptops by the end of 2024.
'RIGHT TO REPAIR'
In another effort that may clear up some clutter at your place, the Liberals say they will work to implement a right to repair for products such as electronic devices and home appliances.
This would make it easier for people to get products fixed instead of being forced to replace them, the government says.
"When it comes to broken appliances or devices, high repair fees and a lack of access to specific parts often mean Canadians are pushed to buy new products rather than repairing the ones they have," reads the budget.
"Devices and appliances should be easy to repair, spare parts should be readily accessible, and companies should not be able to prevent repairs with complex programming or hard-to-obtain bespoke parts."
The government says it will aim to introduce a "targeted framework" for a right to repair home appliances and electronics in 2024, that could see easy cellphone fixes done at the mall rather than having to go through the device's manufacturer, for example.
It is also launching public consultations this summer, including on the right to repair farm equipment, and work closely with the provinces and territories to advance its implementation.
The two measures are among several in the budget that the government says they are introducing with the aim of making life more affordable.
Other initiatives earmarked in the 2023 federal spending plan include the much-talked about grocery rebate for lower-income Canadians, a crackdown on junk fees such as roaming charges and concert fees, and lower credit card transaction fees for small businesses.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
$1.6B parts plant for Honda electric vehicle batteries coming to Niagara Region
A Japanese company has announced it will build an approximately $1.6-billion plant in Ontario's Niagara Region that will make a key electric vehicle battery component as part of Honda's supply chain in the province.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.
1 killed, 3 injured including toddler, after Hwy. 417 crash in Ottawa
Ontario Provincial Police are responding to a fatal collision involving two vehicles on Highway 417 in Ottawa's west end on Tuesday morning.