Former Liberal MP urges govt. to follow Trump and torch EV mandates

The head of one of Canada’s largest energy advocacy groups is urging the federal government to follow US president Donald Trump’s lead and scrap EV mandates in this country.

Minutes after Trump announced the end of EV mandates south of the border, former Liberal MP and current president of Canadians for Affordable Energy (CAE), Dan McTeague, urged Liberal leadership candidates, including Mark Carney, to take decisive action by repealing the federal government’s mandate for all new vehicles sold in Canada to be electric by 2035.

“The decision to end taxpayer-funded subsidies for electric vehicles is a step in the right direction,” McTeague stated. “But the Trudeau government must go further and eliminate the 2035 EV mandate, which is unaffordable for Canadians and undermines our position as a global energy leader.”

Transport Canada recently announced a pause on its EV incentive program, which provided up to $5,000 per vehicle. Similarly, Quebec ended its $7,000 subsidy in February 2024. Despite these changes, the 2035 mandate requiring all new cars sold in Canada to be battery-powered remains in place.

McTeague argues that even with subsidies, EVs remain out of reach for many Canadians. “These mandates disproportionately impact hardworking families who can’t afford to transition to EVs. Canada’s energy sector should focus on meeting the diverse needs of consumers rather than imposing blanket policies,” he said.

McTeague, who served as a Liberal MP for 18 years and now leads CAE, emphasized Canada’s critical role in North America’s energy supply chain. “Canada’s energy industry is a cornerstone of our relationship with the U.S. and a vital contributor to our economy. Policies like the 2035 mandate threaten our ability to maintain that leadership.”

He called on Liberal leadership candidates to confront the mandate head-on. “Every candidate should recognize the harm this policy will cause and commit to repealing it,” McTeague urged.

As Canada navigates its energy future, debates over balancing environmental goals with economic realities remain at the forefront of the national agenda, he added.

It comes after Trump on Monday unequivocally put an end to EV mandates south of the border and said his energy policies would see American “drill, baby drill” its way to oil independence.

“In other words, you’ll be able to buy a car of your choice,” he said during his inaugural speech.