BRITISH COLUMBIA AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLERS (B-CAR)
ara.bc.ca/b-c-auto-recyclers-division
The year 2024 was active for the BC Auto Recyclers (BCAR), a division of the Automotive Retailers Association (ARA). In 2023, the ARA officially assumed oversight and management of British Columbia’s environmental audit program for vehicle dismantlers. This annual audit is a legal requirement for recyclers in the province that dismantle more than five “wet” vehicles per year. The program is administered by the Automotive Recycler Environmental Association (AREA), a management association established by the ARA in the 1990s, which audits approximately 140 licensed dismantlers across the province.
AREA’s primary auditor and co-founder, Colin McKean, officially retired in 2022, prompting AREA to find a suitable successor. AREA is pleased to announce that Terra West has been selected as the new official auditor for British Columbia. Terra West will play a key role, alongside the ARA, in modernizing the program.
British Columbia continues to lead Canada and North America in the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). While the rate of adoption has slowed, the market continues to grow, bringing new challenges and opportunities for the industry. Significant uncertainty remains regarding end-of-life solutions for EV batteries, including disposal, re-use, and repurposing potential. The ARA plans to announce new projects and initiatives in the coming year to help prepare the industry as it begins to encounter more of these vehicles on the road.
Lastly, Stuart Ady of Ernie’s Used Auto Parts in Castlegar has taken over as Chairperson for BCAR, succeeding Jim LeBrun. Jim LeBrun will continue to serve as BCAR’s representative on the main ARA Board and as a member of the ARC Board of Directors.
ALBERTA AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLERS AND DISMANTLERS ASSOCIATION (AARDA)
aarda.com
The Alberta Automotive Recyclers and Dismantlers Association (AARDA) is excited to announce that Trent Hardin has assumed the role of executive direction, also assuming responsibility for the membership’s Canadian Auto Recyclers Environmental Code (CAREC) audits in Alberta.
Hardin has spent 40 years in in industrial operations in Alberta—starting with Syncrude in 1984, through computer chip manufacturing industrial coatings, purchasing for major fabrication projects and rail transload.
Along the way, Hardin has spent stints in the retail, NGO and service sectors and time as an infantry reservist. He then progressed through greater roles of responsibility with proven performance and now operates an operational/ leadership consultancy to leverage his experience.
Hardin is also National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO) certified and has had extensive training in hazardous materials, from Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), through TDG and HAZMAT response, to DG derailment response.
With the assumption of the Executive Directorship of AARDA, as well as direct responsibility for member CAREC audits and within the Automotive Recyclers of Canada (ARC), Hardin commented that he “looks forward to engaging wholeheartedly and being able to make good use of his experience—to increase engagement across the board, with the current membership and by expanding it.”
SASKATCHEWAN ASSOCIATION OF AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLERS (SARA)
saskautorecyclers.ca
SARA is headed by Jack Smith of Top Line Salvage in Moose Jaw, Vice-President, Dale Nagel of Dale & Lisa’s Farm & Auto in Mossbank and Secretary-Treasurer Michele Morrison of SGI Salvage in Regina.
SARA’s newest member is JS Truckmart of Estevan, Saskatoon. JS Truckmart was honoured with the Growth and Expansion Award and the Business of the Year award at the 2024 Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce ABEX Awards Gala. The ABEX Awards highlight the outstanding achievements of Saskatchewan’s businesses, acknowledging their significant role in driving the province’s economic and community development.
This year’s highlight was a joint event held in conjunction with the Auto Recyclers of Canada Board Meeting on October 4 and 5 at the Atlas Hotel in Regina. Our SARA members were privileged to meet the fellow auto recyclers from across Canada that attended. Over the two-day event, we had 33 people attend from six provinces. Attendees were treated to lunch and a tour of JS Truckmart’s new dismantling facility and warehouse in Estevan followed by a dinner and social on Friday night.
SARA’s 2024 Annual General Meeting for members was held the following day. Representatives of 10 of our 17 member yards were in attendance. At the 2024 AGM, SARA elected Christa Morhart of JS Truckmart in Estevan to the board. She joins Brendan Heggs and Dylan Crozier of Southside Auto Wreckers in Weyburn and Shawn Conarroe of 5 Mile Auto Wreckers in Prince Albert.
SARA’s 2025 AGM is planned for April 26, 2025.
SARA members continue to operate in compliance with the Canadian Auto Recyclers Environmental Code (CAREC). Like all auto recyclers, our members are concerned about the impact of electric vehicles on our industry and are closely following the industry updates provided by the Automotive Recyclers of Canada (ARC) and the Canadian Auto Recyclers magazine.
ONTARIO AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLERS ASSOCIATION (OARA)
oara.com
OARA has created a VIN Branding Committee aimed at documenting the incorrect branding of vehicles involved in total losses. While regulations exist to provide specific guidance on what needs to be branded and the differences between Salvage and Irreparable brands, we’ve observed this guidance seems to be consistently ignored. As the media and government pickup on the out of control stolen vehicle epidemic in Canada, with some of that derived from total loss vehicles, the Committee aims to shine a spotlight on bad branding with the goal of improving education and awareness.
OARA’s biggest project, perhaps in a number of years, has been the long and thorough process of replacing our Executive Director of 32 years, Steve Fletcher. The Board was incredibly active over the Summer documenting the opportunity, reviewing candidates, and establishing the protocols to ensure a smooth transition. Mathieu Dagonas is on board, and we are all benefiting from the overlap in Steve staying with OARA and Mathieu’s steep learning curve. We look forward to Mathieu taking over the reins at OARA and taking OARA to the next level representing the auto recycling industry in Ontario. We think we will see that in the planning and execution of the 2025 OARA Convention.
OARA continues to work with Intact Insurance’s recycled parts pilot program to increase the usage of recycled parts. The program is unique in that Intact has brought both frontline staff and planners to the table to work collaboratively. The pilot is showing benefits of recyclers, repairers, insurers and data providers working together.
The Workplace Safety Prevention Service (WSPS) has begun to work with both OARA and the Ministry of Labour to identify risks, processes and suitable training for the proper handling of Electric Vehicles (EVs). This is the first time the Ontario government has recognized the role auto recyclers play in electrification and the need for some level of support.
L’ASSOCIATION DES RECYCLEURS DE PIECES D’AUTOS ET DE CAMIONS (ARPAC)
arpac.org
ARPAC has appointed Steve Lemm as fire prevention advisor. Lemm owned a recycling centre, Pièces d’autos M.S., for many years, was a member of ARPAC’s Board of Directors, and was also a firefighter beforehand. He had the opportunity to visit all of ARPAC’s members in 2024 to observe fire prevention good practices, identify any issues and advise owners on potential improvements to prevent fires in their businesses.
Insuring a car and truck recycling business is increasingly costly, and to slow down the increase in insurance premiums, ARPAC also published a fire prevention checklist with 32 control points for fire prevention. Each point is associated with one of 5 intervention timelines: 1) at all times, 2) daily, 3) monthly, 4) every six months upon time changes, and 6) annually. As an example, the list includes item 27: Site monitoring policy in the hour following the shutoff of oxycutting; this is to avoid seeing your business go up in flames when you return from your break or lunchtime.
AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLERS ASSOCIATION OF ATLANTIC CANADA (ARAAC)
araac.ca
The June meeting of Automotive Recyclers Association of Atlantic Canada (ARAAC) is always a highlight of the auto recycling calendar in Atlantic Canada. The 2024 did not disappoint. Hosted Island Auto Supply in Charlottetown PEI, the two-day event saw 60 attendees from all corners of the industry. Topics covered included green recycled parts, insurer-repairer-recycler relations, electric vehicles (EVs), plastic bumper recycling research, CAREC audits, parts procurement, inventory management, and much more.
The biggest highlight was the presentation by Intact Insurance discussing their Sustainability Plans and how auto recyclers fit in. They also participated in an open panel discussion with recyclers and repairers discussing the opportunities and challenges with accessing more recycled parts on their estimates.
The event wrapped up with the always popular tour and BBQ at Dalbert Livingstone’s Island Auto Supply facility, with more hands-on learning, networking…and fun.
