New research is to be conducted after MP’s realized electric car subsidies are only paid to wealthy Canadians, according to Blacklock’s Reporter..The zero-emission rebate program launched in 2019 pays $5,000 to buyers of electric cars worth up to $55,000. Tesla Motors Canada Inc. has been the largest beneficiary with $118.6 million in rebates paid from 2019 to 2021..“A $55,000 vehicle would be a luxury vehicle for most Canadians,” Conservative MP Brad Redekopp told the Commons environment committee..“Essentially what we’re doing is subsidizing a vehicle that a wealthy person is going to buy.”.The Department of Transport commissioned research on whether millions in climate rebates merely reward affluent drivers, records show..The department has yet to release its findings..“A questionnaire was sent in the summer of 2021 to a sample of consumers who benefited from the zero-emission vehicle program,”.said a Department of Environment report to the Commons environment committee..“Transport Canada is currently reviewing the results.”.The questionnaire would determine if drivers who received the rebate met the program’s intention of “helping middle-class Canadians” lower their emissions, said the environment department..“The intent of the questionnaire is to better understand the consumer’s experience with the program and with the purchase or lease of their zero-emission vehicle as well as certain demographic characteristics,” wrote staff..“The questionnaire included questions on household income, the size of the community, highest level of education achieved as well as number of vehicles owned or leased by the consumer,” wrote staff..“These findings could help Transport Canada assess to what extent the zero-emission vehicle program is continuing to meet its objective of helping middle-class Canadians to make the transition towards more affordable zero-emission vehicles.”.At the 2020 Commons environment committee hearings, The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) questioned the point of the proposed rebates..“I think it’s a fair question to ask whether regular Canadian taxpayers should be subsidizing the purchase of luxury vehicles for people who are prepared to pay full price for them,” said Aaron Wudrick, then-federal director of the CTF..“I would suggest the answer is no.”.“If the purpose of these subsidies is to encourage the uptake of zero emission vehicles it seems a relevant question is whether they are actually leading to a higher uptake or simply providing subsidies to people who were going to buy zero emission vehicles anyway,” said Wudrick..“It’s especially fair to ask that, given the price points that we’re talking about here. Even a $45,000 vehicle I would suggest, never mind a $55,000 vehicle, would be considered a luxury vehicle by most Canadians.”.Support for rebates is highest among taxpayers with post-secondary education and a household income of $100,000, found.Continuous Tracking Of Canadians’ Views, a 2021 Privy Council Office research study..Ewa Sudyk is a reporter with the Western Standard.,esudyk@westernstandard.news,.https://twitter.com/EwasWorkin
New research is to be conducted after MP’s realized electric car subsidies are only paid to wealthy Canadians, according to Blacklock’s Reporter..The zero-emission rebate program launched in 2019 pays $5,000 to buyers of electric cars worth up to $55,000. Tesla Motors Canada Inc. has been the largest beneficiary with $118.6 million in rebates paid from 2019 to 2021..“A $55,000 vehicle would be a luxury vehicle for most Canadians,” Conservative MP Brad Redekopp told the Commons environment committee..“Essentially what we’re doing is subsidizing a vehicle that a wealthy person is going to buy.”.The Department of Transport commissioned research on whether millions in climate rebates merely reward affluent drivers, records show..The department has yet to release its findings..“A questionnaire was sent in the summer of 2021 to a sample of consumers who benefited from the zero-emission vehicle program,”.said a Department of Environment report to the Commons environment committee..“Transport Canada is currently reviewing the results.”.The questionnaire would determine if drivers who received the rebate met the program’s intention of “helping middle-class Canadians” lower their emissions, said the environment department..“The intent of the questionnaire is to better understand the consumer’s experience with the program and with the purchase or lease of their zero-emission vehicle as well as certain demographic characteristics,” wrote staff..“The questionnaire included questions on household income, the size of the community, highest level of education achieved as well as number of vehicles owned or leased by the consumer,” wrote staff..“These findings could help Transport Canada assess to what extent the zero-emission vehicle program is continuing to meet its objective of helping middle-class Canadians to make the transition towards more affordable zero-emission vehicles.”.At the 2020 Commons environment committee hearings, The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) questioned the point of the proposed rebates..“I think it’s a fair question to ask whether regular Canadian taxpayers should be subsidizing the purchase of luxury vehicles for people who are prepared to pay full price for them,” said Aaron Wudrick, then-federal director of the CTF..“I would suggest the answer is no.”.“If the purpose of these subsidies is to encourage the uptake of zero emission vehicles it seems a relevant question is whether they are actually leading to a higher uptake or simply providing subsidies to people who were going to buy zero emission vehicles anyway,” said Wudrick..“It’s especially fair to ask that, given the price points that we’re talking about here. Even a $45,000 vehicle I would suggest, never mind a $55,000 vehicle, would be considered a luxury vehicle by most Canadians.”.Support for rebates is highest among taxpayers with post-secondary education and a household income of $100,000, found.Continuous Tracking Of Canadians’ Views, a 2021 Privy Council Office research study..Ewa Sudyk is a reporter with the Western Standard.,esudyk@westernstandard.news,.https://twitter.com/EwasWorkin