OTTAWA — The Canadian automotive industry is intensifying its efforts to persuade the federal government to repeal its electric vehicle (EV) sales mandate, citing declining sales and the impacts of an ongoing trade war [1][2][3]. This push comes as the industry faces mounting pressure with the approach of the 2026 target, a key milestone in the government's plan to have all new vehicles sold be zero-emission by 2035 [1][2][3].

The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association (CVMA) has made repealing the EV mandate its top priority in recent discussions with Prime Minister Mark Carney [1][2][3]. The association argues that the policy is causing significant harm to the industry at a time when it's already under considerable strain.

"Why, at a time when the industry is under pressure, would we keep in place a domestic policy that is hugely damaging to this industry?" a spokesperson for the CVMA stated [3]. This sentiment reflects growing concern among automakers about the feasibility of meeting the government's ambitious EV targets in the face of current market conditions.

The federal EV mandate, a cornerstone of the Liberal government's climate policy, aims to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles. However, the auto industry contends that falling EV sales and the broader impacts of the ongoing trade war necessitate a reevaluation of this approach [1][2][3].

As the 2026 target draws nearer, the urgency to address these concerns has increased. The industry is calling for a more flexible approach that takes into account current market realities and the challenges faced by manufacturers [1][2][3].

The government has yet to respond publicly to these calls for repeal. As this situation develops, it highlights the ongoing tension between environmental policy goals and economic considerations in Canada's automotive sector.