OTTAWA - The Green Party applauds and expresses its strong support for Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault's ground-breaking initiative, an initiative the Green Party has pushed for on multiple occasions, to terminate the sale of new gas-powered vehicles in Canada by 2035. This strategic move underscores Canada's commitment to combating climate change and accelerating the transition towards a sustainable, eco-friendly transportation sector.
The newly introduced Electric Vehicle Availability Standard signifies a pivotal step towards a cleaner, greener future. Minister Guilbeault's plan incentivizes automakers to embrace electric vehicle (EV) technology, progressively phasing out traditional combustion engine cars, trucks, and SUVs over the next 12 years.
"Many aspects of Canada's decarbonization efforts, including the shift to EVs, requires a massive investment in enhancing our electricity grid”, said leader Elizabeth May. “We need to launch an aggressive plan for federal-provincial-territorial cooperation to ensure connectivity, reliability and resilience in our grid - east-west and north-south, with urgency."
The regulations outlined in the EV sales mandate are a testament to Canada's dedication to environmental stewardship. Commencing with a 20% requirement in 2026 and escalating to 100% by 2035, these regulations set clear benchmarks for automakers to amplify the availability of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in the market.
Minister Guilbeault’s vision aligns with the Green Party's values of sustainability and environmental preservation. By investing in the EV supply chain and advocating for increased charging infrastructure, this initiative lays the groundwork for a comprehensive and accessible electric vehicle network across Canada.
The Green Party urges all provinces to rally behind this progressive plan, echoing Minister Guilbeault's call for nationwide support to expedite the adoption of electric vehicles. Collaboration among provinces will drive the widespread accessibility of EVs, benefitting not only the environment but also bolstering the economy through the creation of green jobs.
This decisive action by the Canadian government reflects a profound commitment to a cleaner, sustainable future for all Canadians. The Green Party stands in solidarity with this landmark initiative and pledges its unwavering support towards realizing a greener, emission-free transportation landscape by 2035.
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For more information or to arrange an interview :
Fabrice Lachance Nové
Press secretary
514-463-0021