Canada’s transition to clean transportation is facing a precarious moment. Last week, the federal government moved to repeal the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard (EVAS), also known as its EV sales mandate, without releasing a previously promised tailpipe emissions standard in its place. Removing EVAS creates a policy gap that will slow EV adoption, increase pollution in cities and suburbs, and reverse progress on the climate and affordability goals it had set to advance.
The government has committed to developing made‑in‑Canada vehicle emissions standards. But until those regulations are released with binding requirements, clear timelines, and enforcement mechanisms — Canadians will be left behind in the global shift to electric vehicles.
Urban emissions and municipal climate goals are directly at stake
Transportation is among the highest sources of emissions in GTHA municipalities. Cities are responsible for implementing EV charging and managing traffic corridors to curb those emissions and meet their climate targets. Without a reliable supply of EVs, municipalities cannot plan effectively for charging infrastructure, fleet transitions, or air quality improvements. This repeal without replacement by the federal government slows progress in Canada’s cities, where transportation emissions are most concentrated and most harmful.
The cost of delay is measured in health impacts, not just emissions
The federal government’s own regulatory analysis acknowledges that repealing EVAS will lead to significantly higher emissions. But it does not quantify the health consequences of increased air pollution.
TAF’s analysis, using Health Canada’s benefits‑per‑tonne methodology, shows that the original EVAS would have delivered approximately $92 billion in health benefits through 2050 and helped avoid up to 11,000 premature deaths. These gains come from cleaner air and reduced exposure to pollutants linked to asthma, lung cancer, and cardiopulmonary disease.
Air pollution is not experienced equally and municipalities understand this firsthand. Residents living near highways, major arterials, and freight corridors — often lower‑income and racialized communities — bear the greatest burden. Every year without a strong vehicle‑emissions standard means more preventable illness and deaths, more strain on local health systems, and higher costs for families and governments.
Regulatory uncertainty weakens Canada’s competitiveness
Repealing EVAS without a replacement also sends the wrong signals to automakers, charging providers, utilities, and investors. Canada needs long‑term policy certainty to attract investment, expand charging networks, and ensure that Canadians have access to the full range of affordable EV models being produced for global markets.
What the replacement regulation must deliver
To protect Canadians’ health, support municipalities, and maintain economic competitiveness, a new standard must:
- Achieve emissions and health benefits comparable to or greater than EVAS;
- Account transparently for air quality and public health benefits using Health Canada’s methodology;
- Include firm implementation dates, with interim targets, compliance provisions and regular public reporting; and
- Be accompanied by sustained affordability measures and accelerated charging deployment.
Canada cannot afford another pause in progress. A strong, made-in-Canada, emissions standard is essential to ensuring cleaner air, lower driving costs, availability of vehicles, and a competitive, future‑ready automotive sector. The federal government must close the policy gap now by putting a robust regulation on the table before EVAS is removed.
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