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
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.