NDP wants tariffs on Teslas and a $10K made-in-Canada EV rebate

The NDP made new election commitments on Monday, with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh announcing plans to impose tariffs on Tesla electric vehicles, bring back the federal EV rebate, and double it for consumers who buy Canadian-made plug-in cars. Singh made these announcements during a campaign-style visit to Windsor, Ont., Canada’s automotive capital and border town.

Singh stated that if Trump follows through with his threat to apply tariffs on all Canadian goods, a New Democrat federal government would retaliate by imposing a 100% trade tax on all Tesla products. This decision comes in response to Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and a top deputy to Trump, criticizing Canada. Singh emphasized that Canada already places a 100% tariff on EVs from China and is prepared to take a similar stance against Tesla.

In addition to imposing tariffs on Tesla, the NDP plans to reinstate the federal electric vehicle rebate and increase it to $10,000, specifically for Canadian-made electric vehicles. Singh highlighted the importance of supporting consumers who choose to buy domestically produced goods, especially for significant purchases like cars.

Electric vehicles come with a wide price range in Canada, from entry-level models around $40,000 to luxury options exceeding $180,000. The federal government’s Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) program, which offered up to $5,000 towards EV purchases, was paused in January due to high demand. Some provinces and territories continue to offer their own EV rebates.

Brian Masse, the NDP’s auto strategy and Canada-U.S. border relations critic, emphasized the party’s proactive stance in the face of potential Trump tariffs. Masse stated that while Canadians are concerned about the threat of tariffs, the NDP is taking offensive action to protect Canadian interests.

Overall, the NDP’s election commitments aim to support the domestic EV industry, provide incentives for consumers to choose Canadian-made electric vehicles, and respond decisively to external threats like Trump’s proposed tariffs. These initiatives align with the party’s focus on promoting Canadian industry and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the adoption of electric vehicles.