Quebec’s new appliance warranty law could raise prices

Added: 2026-05-23

[00:00:00]And speaking of consumer laws, I had a discussion on my show this week about the latest Quebec law. It was actually passed last year, but the latest phase of the law is going to come into effect effect shortly, and it has to do with appliance warranties. It will now be in the law your washer and dryer have to last 5 years. Your fridge, your stove, your freezer, 6 years. Your cell phone, 3 years. It will be the law. The retailers are saying, "Guys, you don't understand. To implement this law, you have to pay for that. Now, every time you want to buy a fridge or a stove in Quebec, it will be 10 to 30% more expensive." And you know, so that's what the retailers are saying. Now, maybe it's not 30%, but in other jurisdictions like California, they've done something similar, it does increase the price. And you know, I get it. You want to protect consumers, but I actually like the free market where, you know what? If I want to buy El Cheapo brand cuz I know I only need it for 2 years, there's an option.

[00:00:59]And if I want deluxe super duper German brand that's four times the cost that I think I can get 25 years out of, well, leave it to the consumer. So, you know, that's where I go back and forth on this, and I just find it fascinating.