As for your question, I am here as an economist. I'm not a lawyer, but I can appreciate the legal expertise that's been shared. From my standpoint, the issue is simple when it comes to auto thefts. When CASIS came into force, dealers and those in the aftermarket sector had significantly better access to repair. The numbers prove it. Certain vehicle parts had to be removed or replaced to give aftermarket mechanics greater access. I'm talking about the on-board diagnostic, or OBD, port. Way back when, that port wouldn't have been accessible in vehicles like yours, Mr. Généreux. Today, in many vehicles, it is. You can plug an electronic reader into the port and obtain diagnostic information. There is clearly a correlation between access to that information and the rise in auto thefts.
I want to repeat that CADA is in favour of greater access to repair, but understands the importance of striking a balance. The market will always have bad actors. While improved access to vehicle data over the years has done a lot for repair, it has increased the risk of vehicle theft, and we are seeing the effects of that now.
Our understanding is that the purpose of the proposed amending legislation is to improve access to vehicle data for those in the automotive aftermarket industry. However, it's hard to imagine that auto thefts will decrease as information becomes more accessible.
Again, this is all hypothetical. CADA's view is that the existing platform provides an opportunity to discuss these issues in an unhurried and more nuanced way, as opposed to initiating a discussion, possibly going too far and having to rein things in down the road.