Garage staff, winter tire shortages ahead of Quebec’s tire change deadline

Montreal garages are experiencing staff and winter tire shortages, putting pressure on them and vehicle owners as Quebec’s Dec. 1 deadline to install winter tires fast approaches.

The supply chain shortage has put Quebec garages in a tough situation.

“Last year too we started to feel it,” said Anthony Piazza, the owner of Pro Shop Auto Clinic. “This year it’s worse. It’s much worse.

“We’re rushing to put the tires on. There’s a shortage of tires and everybody wants everything at the same time.”

CAA Quebec says certain winter tire models, especially low budget ones, are low in supply due to container shortages making it costly for suppliers to ship.

“The problem is, maybe, drivers won’t get the tires that they would like to pay for or the tires that are really suited for their driving style and for their vehicle as well,” said Jesse Caron, an automotive expert at CAA Quebec.

And it doesn’t end there. Garages are also lacking staff.

“There’s nobody, there’s nobody out there,” said Piazza. “We had an ad out for about three-four months, trying to find people to come to work. I don’t know what to do. We’re blocked. We’re completely blocked.”

Added Caron: “The labour shortage this year is even maybe harder to face for garage owners because the shortage is in every economic area.”

For Quebecers who don’t have winter tires installed yet and need to make an appointment, CAA suggests looking further than a local garage since the situation is not affecting all mechanic shops evenly.

Under Quebec’s highway safety code, it’s mandatory to have winter tires on vehicles installed between Dec. 1 to March 15 inclusively.

Failure to do so can result in a fine of $200 to $300.

“It’s hard but we’re getting through it slowly,” said Daniele Vigorito, a mechanic at Pro Shop Auto Clinic. “We’ve only got about a week and a half left before we have to put the tires on. So, you gotta get to it.”