Conservatives plan the National Campaign to delete the Mandate of Nulemissie Vehicle
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has announced plans to launch a national campaign to push the liberal government to scrap Canada’s electric vehicle mandate, which he has dubbed the ‘Carney-tax’. Poilievre has been a vocal critic of the mandate, likening it to a ban on gas vehicles that will have detrimental effects on small cities and rural communities.
The mandate, set to take effect in 2026, requires that 20 percent of all light vehicles sold in Canada next year be zero emission vehicles, with the goal of reaching 100 percent by 2035. Manufacturers who fail to meet the targets could face fines, which Poilievre has labeled as the ‘Carney Tax’ that will ultimately be passed on to consumers.
Despite the government’s efforts to promote electric vehicle adoption, recent data shows that only 7.86 percent of new vehicles sold in May were electric. This number has fluctuated in recent months, with a peak of 18.3 percent in December 2024 before dropping to 6.53 percent in March.
Poilievre has criticized the mandate as ‘ideological’ and has vowed to push for its repeal through public events, petitions, and motions in the Lower House. He argues that consumers should have the freedom to choose the vehicles they drive, rather than being forced to comply with government mandates.
A recent poll indicated that a majority of Canadians are skeptical of the government’s plan to phase out gas vehicles, with 71 percent finding it unrealistic. Conservative voters were particularly opposed to the mandate, with only 11 percent supporting it.
As the debate over electric vehicles continues, it is clear that there are still challenges to overcome in promoting their adoption. The government must work closely with industry stakeholders to address concerns about affordability and charging infrastructure to ensure a smooth transition to a cleaner transportation system.
