Buy Canadian Means No EV Mandate

September 12, 2025

September 12, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, ON – Raquel Dancho, Shadow Minister for Industry, issued the following statement on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement temporarily pausing the electric vehicle (EV) mandate and introducing a new “Buy Canadian” policy:

“After spending years advocating for the policy, Mark Carney was finally forced to admit his electric vehicle mandate is unworkable. But instead of scrapping it altogether, he has only delayed the 2026 target and launched yet another bureaucratic review.

“The Liberal EV mandate will force Canadian automakers to buy credits from foreign companies that don’t build a single car here. This tax is forecasted to siphon billions from our auto industry and workers straight into the pockets of automakers that don’t even build their cars in Canada, paid for by Canadian taxpayers. This is the opposite of Buy Canadian.

“This puts Tesla – an American company in which Mark Carney holds shares – in a position to make billions at the expense of Canadian workers and businesses. According to their financial disclosures, Tesla already made almost $1.5 billion in the first two quarters of 2025 from global EV credits alone.

“Workers whose jobs are at risk and families who can’t afford higher costs don’t need more stalling. They need this reckless mandate repealed once and for all.

“At the same time, the Prime Minister unveiled a ‘Buy Canadian’ procurement policy. Conservatives have long called on Ottawa to prioritize Canadian workers, businesses and supply chains. While the tone is laudable, years of Liberal failure have shown this government needs to be held accountable for real outcomes – not just praised for their promises. We have already seen the government doubling down on loaning BC Ferries $1 billion to buy Chinese ships while Canadian shipyards and steelworkers clamour for work.

“The EV mandate is just one of many Liberal laws that are choking growth, and it must go. Our Canadian Sovereignty Act puts forward a bold, constructive alternative that will defend Canadian jobs, unlock rapid resource development and restore our independence. 

“The Conservative plan for real economic strength:

  1. Scrap the EV mandate for good. End policies that funnel Canadian dollars to foreign firms and protect Canadian jobs, investment and consumer choice.
  2. Deliver a true ‘Buy Canadian’ strategy by ensuring taxpayer dollars help Canadian industries build here at home.
  3. Pass the Canadian Sovereignty Act that will repeal destructive Liberal laws, reward Canadian builders and defend our economic independence.

“Canadians deserve results. Conservatives will keep fighting for affordability, economic sovereignty and a strong, competitive economy proudly built right here in Canada.”