Windsor West MP Brian Masse is once again calling on the federal government to put a national auto strategy in place as the United States moves forward with new electric vehicle incentives that could harm Canadian-made vehicle production.
The Build Back Better Bill currently up for approval in the US sees the current US electric vehicle (EV) incentive at $7500 USD increase by $4500 for American’s purchasing American, and another $500 for American made batteries bringing the total US incentive to $12,500 USD.
In Canada, all electric vehicles are eligible for a $5,000 incentive and the only Canadian-made vehicle is the Chrysler Pacifica.
"We need to stop funding American vehicles for our own EV incentives that take place right now. We shouldn't be using taxpayer money to provide subsidies to American vehicles when they have actually penalized Canadian ones," said Masse.
Masse said the Canadian government needs to develop a plan to harmonize incentives with the United States moving forward.
Masse also wrote to the Prime Minister, Minister of Industry and Minister of International Trade requesting immediate action on this proposed change, the need for a National Automotive Policy to position Canada as a leader while the global industry looks for places to build new electric vehicles and battery plants.
Canada has committed to transitioning to 100% electric vehicles by 2035.
