Poilievre launches Conservative campaign against Liberal electric vehicle sales mandate

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre announced Thursday, August 14, that his party will focus on pressuring Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal government to repeal Canada's electric vehicle sales mandate during the upcoming parliamentary session.

Poilievre stated the Conservatives plan to introduce motions, petitions and "pressure campaigns" to eliminate the policy scheduled to take effect next year.

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"The electric vehicle mandate that the Liberals are imposing on Canadians is a complete and utter disaster," Poilievre said during a news conference in Corman Park, Saskatchewan. "Conservatives are launching a nationwide campaign, including in the House of Commons, to force the Liberals to back down … on the gas vehicle ban."

Electric vehicle mandate requirements and timeline

The federal mandate requires zero-emission vehicles to comprise 20 per cent of new vehicle sales in Canada by 2026, increasing to 60 per cent by 2030 and reaching 100 per cent by 2035. The policy aims to help Canada achieve its emission-reduction targets.

Poilievre has opposed the Liberal mandate for months, calling for its elimination.

"It's time to put Canadians back in the driver's seat so they can decide what life they want to live," he said Thursday.

Auto industry opposition to sales targets

The automotive industry has also called for ending the mandate. CEOs of Canada's major automakers met with Prime Minister Carney last month to lobby for its removal, arguing the sales mandate would harm their companies and threaten thousands of jobs amid American tariffs and declining EV demand.

The Liberal government has not indicated whether it intends to maintain or eliminate the mandate following July's industry meeting. Carney has reversed other policies introduced under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, notably the consumer carbon tax.

Manufacturing industry concerns about demand

Manufacturers report insufficient consumer demand to meet the 20 per cent target next year, partly due to the federal EV rebate program's termination.

The rebate provided up to $5,000 toward new electric vehicle purchases and up to $2,500 for new plug-in hybrid purchases. Originally scheduled to continue until March, the program was suspended in January after exhausting its funding.

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Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin indicated in June that another rebate program could be developed.

Poilievre's parliamentary return expected

Despite losing his seat in the spring election, Poilievre is unlikely to miss significant House of Commons time this fall. He is expected to win what is considered one of the safest Conservative seats in the country in a byelection on Monday, August 18.

The House of Commons is scheduled to return in mid-September for the fall parliamentary session.