“The federal government must face the inevitable and abandon the unrealistic, ineffective and unwanted EV mandate before it kicks in next year. This is another failed Trudeau policy, just like the carbon tax, which hurt Canadians from coast to coast.

“Requiring 20 per cent of new cars sold in Canada to be zero-emission next year and 100 per cent by 2035 is not realistic or possible. In the last year alone, Albertans purchased over 223,000 new vehicles, all while fewer than 25,000 EVs were produced in Canada that same year. Albertans could purchase every single EV produced in this country and we still would not be close to meeting this unrealistic plan.

“Let’s not forget, these impossible targets are being pushed through at a time when the federal government has a one hundred per cent tariff on electric vehicles produced in China, which accounts for 70 per cent of globally produced EVs. These tariffs have a devastating impact on hard-working Albertan farmers, ranchers and food processors, who are caught up in political posturing they want no part in. 

“For months, large automakers and global industry leaders like Ford, GM, Toyota, Honda, and Stellantis have warned this mandate will kill jobs and investment and must be scrapped. The mayors of 48 towns and cities in Ontario, many of which depend on auto-manufacturing, have also called on the feds to scrap this mandate.

“And what about Canadians? Well, a new Leger poll released today found that 71 per cent of Canadians also want the mandate rolled back due to high costs and implementation concerns.

“Yet the federal government refuses to act. Earlier this year, federal environment minister Julie Dabrusin told the auto industry that they would not repeal the mandate under any circumstances.

“For a decade, the Trudeau government ignored the wishes of Canadians and pursued unrealistic and ideological policies like this. If the Carney government is serious about listening to Canadians and making life better, it needs to scrap this mandate immediately.

“Ottawa needs to listen to Albertans, Canadians and industry experts across the country and scrap the ridiculous EV mandate before it drives Canada off the road.”