Friday, May 8, 2026
ADVT 
National

Automakers 'cautiously optimistic' on EV mandate changes after meeting with PM

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 03 Jul, 2025 09:56 AM
  • Automakers 'cautiously optimistic' on EV mandate changes after meeting with PM

The head of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association says he's "cautiously optimistic" the federal government will repeal its electric vehicle sales mandate.

Brian Kingston was among several auto industry executives who met with Prime Minister Mark Carney yesterday in Ottawa.

Along with discussing the impact of U.S. tariffs, the automakers urged Carney to get rid of the EV mandate, saying there's no way the industry can meet the targets it sets out.

The mandate policy states that, as of next year, 20 per cent of all new light-duty vehicles sold in Canada must be zero-emission, and that target rises annually to 100 per cent by 2035.

Kingston said if automakers can't meet the 2026 target, they'll have to pull about one million gas-powered vehicles from the market in order to comply with the sales mandate.

The most recent data from Statistics Canada shows EV sales in Canada dropped to 7.5 per cent in April.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

MORE National ARTICLES

Liberal leadership hopefuls distance themselves from carbon pricing

Liberal leadership hopefuls distance themselves from carbon pricing
The three frontrunners in the Liberal leadership race have all backed away — to one degree or another — from the Liberal government's keystone climate policy in a bid to take a major Conservative line of attack off the table. The Liberals first campaigned on a carbon price in 2008 and moved to make it happen following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's election win in 2015.

Liberal leadership hopefuls distance themselves from carbon pricing

Donald Trump signals 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports could be coming Feb. 1

Donald Trump signals 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports could be coming Feb. 1
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested his administration could move ahead with with 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs on Canadian imports on Feb. 1.  He delivered the deadline on Monday evening at the White House as he signed a stack of unrelated executive orders. 

Donald Trump signals 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports could be coming Feb. 1

Inflation ticks lower to 1.8% in December, thanks in part to GST tax break

Inflation ticks lower to 1.8% in December, thanks in part to GST tax break
Canada’s annual inflation rate fell to 1.8 per cent in December, thanks in large part to the federal government’s temporary tax break. Statistics Canada’s consumer price index report on Tuesday said restaurant food purchases, and alcohol bought from stores contributed the most to the deceleration.

Inflation ticks lower to 1.8% in December, thanks in part to GST tax break

Canada should focus on larger vision in talks with Trump administration: ambassador

Canada should focus on larger vision in talks with Trump administration: ambassador
Canada's Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman says it's now time for Canada to shift its strategy in its conversations with the new administration, away from a transactional approach and toward a larger vision. Hillman told The Canadian Press the goal should be to find ways for the two countries to work together to achieve some of Trump's goals.

Canada should focus on larger vision in talks with Trump administration: ambassador

RCMP Black Hawk helicopters start patrolling Manitoba-U.S. border

RCMP Black Hawk helicopters start patrolling Manitoba-U.S. border
RCMP in Manitoba say residents near the U.S. border could start seeing and hearing Black Hawk helicopters on a regular basis as the national police force bolsters its presence in the area. The first patrol flight took off a day before the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump on Monday. 

RCMP Black Hawk helicopters start patrolling Manitoba-U.S. border

1 in hospital in Kelowna shooting

1 in hospital in Kelowna shooting
Kelowna R-C-M-P are investigating a weekend shooting that sent one person to hospital. The Mounties say a male arrived at Kelowna General Hospital early Sunday morning suffering from non-life-threatening injuries after being shot.

1 in hospital in Kelowna shooting