19.2 C
Korea
Tuesday, August 5, 2025

“NDP Promises Tariffs on Tesla, Doubling Rebate for Canadian EVs”

The NDP unveiled new election promises on Monday, including plans to impose tariffs on Tesla electric vehicles, reintroduce the federal EV rebate, and double it for consumers purchasing Canadian-made plug-in cars. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is currently in Windsor, Ont., emphasizing these commitments.

During a press conference, Singh stated that in response to Trump’s threat of tariffs on Canadian goods, a New Democrat-led federal government would impose a 100 per cent trade tax on all Tesla products. Tesla, a global leader in EV batteries and related technologies, is overseen by CEO Elon Musk, a key figure in the Trump administration.

Singh emphasized that Elon Musk’s criticism of Canada would not go unchallenged, asserting, “If you are going to take a shot at us, we’re going to fight back.” He further noted, “So Elon Musk thinks he can tweet off whatever he wants. Yeah, we’re going to put a tariff on him. I want that to be something that impacts him.”

In addition to the proposed tariffs, Singh outlined the NDP’s support for consumers choosing domestically produced goods, particularly for significant purchases. He highlighted the intention to reintroduce the federal electric vehicle rebate and boost it to $10,000 for Canadian-made electric vehicles.

While Canada currently imposes a 100 per cent tariff on EVs from China, there is limited domestic EV production. Notably, Stellantis’s North American facility has been manufacturing a plug-in hybrid version of the Chrysler Pacifica minivan since 2016, with the introduction of the all-electric Dodge Charger 2024.

EV prices in Canada vary widely, ranging from around $40,000 for entry-level models to over $180,000 for luxury options. The Canadian Automobile Association reports these price ranges, noting that Canada and provinces like Quebec and British Columbia have EV sales mandates in place.

The federal government recently announced the temporary pause of the Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) program due to depleting funds caused by increased demand. While the program provided up to $5,000 towards an EV purchase, some provinces and territories continue to offer their own EV rebates.

Brian Masse, the NDP’s critic for auto strategy and Canada-U.S. border relations, emphasized the party’s proactive stance amidst concerns over potential Trump tariffs. Masse highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating, “There’s no doubt Canadians are worried. We are worried as well, but we can’t sit around and wait.”

Latest news
Related news