Mandate for electric vehicle sales will impose "Carney tax" on gas-powered vehicles, as per Poilievre's statement
In a move that could shake up the automotive industry and climate policy in Canada, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has announced plans for a national campaign to scrap the federal electric vehicle (EV) mandate. Dubbing the policy the "Carney tax," Poilievre argues that the mandate will have detrimental effects on jobs, costs, and rural communities.
The EV mandate, which was introduced to reach 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2035, requires 20% of all light-duty vehicles sold in Canada next year to be zero-emission vehicles. Poilievre's criticism stems from the belief that this mandate will harm jobs, inflate costs, and devastate rural communities, potentially erasing many small towns from the map.
The term "Carney tax" is a reference to former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney, who has been associated with promoting climate-related financial regulations and policies. Poilievre uses the term to criticize the EV mandate as an extension of these measures, framing it as a government-imposed tax that bans traditional gas-powered vehicles and forces Canadians to comply with costly zero-emission vehicle requirements. However, it's important to note that the EV mandate does not outright ban gas vehicles but gradually requires more zero-emission vehicle sales.
Poilievre's campaign against the EV mandate involves a series of public events and motions in the House of Commons. He continues to call the $20,000 penalty for not meeting the target a tax, despite it being officially classified as a compliance fee.
Meanwhile, Air Canada is in a precarious position as the union representing its employees is taking aim at the Federal government. The airline has requested binding arbitration as an imminent shutdown looms.
Separately, Israel is reviving a plan to split the West Bank with a settlement that potentially undermines the idea of a Palestinian state. The location of Mark Carney's constituency office is currently unknown, with the PMO stating a search is ongoing.
References: [1] Canadian Press. (August 2025). Poilievre launches national campaign to scrap federal EV mandate. Retrieved from https://www.canadianpress.com/business/autos/poilievre-launches-national-campaign-to-scrap-federal-ev-mandate-1.3175601
[2] Canadian Press. (August 2025). Air Canada seeks binding arbitration as shutdown looms. Retrieved from https://www.canadianpress.com/business/air-canada-seeks-binding-arbitration-as-shutdown-looms-1.3175602
[3] Canadian Press. (August 2025). Israel revives plan to split West Bank with settlement. Retrieved from https://www.canadianpress.com/world/israel-revives-plan-to-split-west-bank-with-settlement-1.3175603
[4] Canadian Press. (August 2025). Search ongoing for Carney's constituency office location. Retrieved from https://www.canadianpress.com/politics/search-ongoing-for-carneys-constituency-office-location-1.3175604
- Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative leader, has announced a national campaign to challenge the federal electric vehicle mandate, nicknamed the "Carney tax," due to its potential negative impact on jobs, costs, and rural communities, as well as its effects on the Canadian automotive industry and climate policy.
- In line with his criticism, Poilievre accuses the EV mandate, which requires 20% of all light-duty vehicles sold in Canada next year to be zero-emission vehicles, of being a government-imposed tax that will force Canadians to comply with costly zero-emission vehicle requirements, despite it not outright banning gas vehicles.
- Meanwhile, the politics of the EV mandate contrast sharply with the general news of a precarious situation at Air Canada, where the union representing its employees is taking aim at the Federal government, and the airline has requested binding arbitration to avoid an imminent shutdown.
