Tesla vehicles have continued to qualify for federal electric vehicle rebates, contradicting Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland’s public claim that she halted the payments in protest of U.S. trade policy.
Blacklock's Reporter says despite repeated questions, the transport department has not explained the legal basis for the minister’s statement.
“All vehicles that appear on the list have been deemed eligible under the Incentives For Zero Emission Vehicles Program,” read a department notice, confirming that Tesla models remain included.
To qualify, vehicles must sell for under $55,000, meet federal safety standards, and have at least four functioning wheels — a rule intended to exclude electric bikes.
Freeland claimed in a March 26 Toronto Star email interview that she froze Tesla payments upon taking over the transport portfolio, saying she wanted to review each claim “individually” to verify eligibility.
However, the department acknowledged that certain Tesla models were automatically disqualified on January 10, two months before Freeland became minister, solely because they exceeded the program’s price cap.
Freeland was quoted saying, “No payments will be made until we are confident claims are valid,” and indicated she had instructed officials to revise future program criteria to ensure Tesla would be excluded “so long as the illegitimate and illegal U.S. tariffs are imposed against Canada.” No Act of Parliament was cited to justify barring a company’s eligibility based on foreign policy concerns.
The Toronto Star report triggered widespread coverage, including CBC News and Reuters, which published headlines such as “Canada Freezes Rebate Payments To Tesla.”
Despite the coverage, the transport department never confirmed a freeze, nor did it clarify what authority — if any — Freeland exercised.
Freeland has previously faced scrutiny over misleading public claims. In 2023, she denied using chauffeured vehicles in Toronto, telling reporters she walked or took the subway. However, records showed she billed thousands for limousines and taxis, while her official driver logged 28 days of expenses, primarily in Toronto.
As finance minister, Freeland also declared that budget measures were “unlocking the door to the middle class for millions” through housing initiatives. A secret memo dated June 18 later revealed that cabinet already knew those targets were “not projected” to be met.
