Ottawa, ON – Raquel Dancho, Shadow Minister for Industry, and Ellis Ross, Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change, issued the following statement in response to the Liberal government’s decision to press ahead with its flawed Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate:
“The Liberals’ electric vehicle mandate is not just out of touch – it’s wrong for Canada. And now it’s clear they knew it all along.
“According to Statistics Canada, ZEVs accounted for just 8.7% of new vehicle registrations in Q1 2025 – a 23% year-over-year drop. Internal documents have confirmed that Canadians would overwhelmingly choose more affordable gas and hybrid vehicles.
“Yet the Liberals are pressing forward with a mandate that ignores both market demand and economic reality. Starting next year, automakers must ensure 20% of all new vehicle sales are electric or face fines of up to $20,000 per vehicle. By 2035, new gas-powered vehicle sales will be banned entirely. This is completely disconnected from how most Canadians live.
“Families are already stretched thin by inflation and high interest rates. EVs cost around $15,000 more than comparable gas models, and many Canadians simply can’t afford to switch. In rural and northern communities, where long distances and extreme weather are the norm, EVs remain impractical. The Canadian Automobile Association reports EV batteries can lose up to 40% of range in winter.
“But Industry Minister Melanie Joly and Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin have refused to listen. Despite warnings from manufacturers, dealers and workers, they persist with an ideological plan that threatens jobs, investment and consumer choice.
“Conservatives believe in policy rooted in reality – not bureaucratic experiments from Ottawa. It’s time to repeal the ZEV mandate to restore affordability, practicality, and choice for Canada’s auto sector.”