Dear Neighbour, 

Last week I joined Prime Minister Carney to announce significant new measures that will support Canada’s auto industry and make EVs more accessible for Canadians.  The average driver can save up to $3000 a year in fuel and up to 50% less in maintenance costs by switching to an EV.

As our auto sector faces unjustified tariffs from the United States, this plan is focused on building a Canadian economy that is resilient to global shocks and makes sure sustainability is part of its foundations. Canada’s auto strategy drives down emissions by accelerating the shift to low and zero-emission vehicles, attracting investment in the manufacture of electric vehicles, providing rebates to people who want to purchase an electric vehicle, and investing in our charging network.

Canada has the world’s best auto workers, many right here in our province of Ontario. This is a plan that protects workers and positions Canada to become a global leader in electric vehicle (EV) production

Accelerating Investment in Canada’s auto manufacturing sector:

The future of the automobile industry is electric, and a central part of our Automobile Strategy is to accelerate investments in this growing sector. In 2025 approximately 1 in 4 new cars sold globally were electric and this is expected to keep growing in 2026. In December, electric vehicle sales in the European Union outpaced gas-powered cars for the first time.

Our new federal government will allocate $3 billion from the Strategic Response Fund and up to $100 million from the Regional Tariff Response Initiative to help the auto industry adapt, grow, and diversify to new markets.

We will also harness the Productivity Super-Deduction, a set of enhanced tax incentives, and reduced corporate tax rates for zero-emission technology manufacturers to encourage investment in clean technologies and EVs.

Commitment to Reducing Emissions: 

We are strengthening the greenhouse gas emission standards for vehicles, so Canada is on a path to achieve 75% EV sales by 2035 and 90% EV sales by 2040. These standards set a maximum emissions amount that a company can emit on average each year. We are decoupling these standards from the US so we can continue setting ambitious targets that align with where the world is going- electric. Increasingly stringent greenhouse gas emissions standards have proven to be very effective at driving EV adoption, as we’ve seen Europe use this policy too.

These more stringent emissions standards, coupled with our EV consumer supports, will enable the federal government to repeal the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard. This approach will allow manufacturers to use a wide array of technologies to meet the standards and respond to consumer preferences in the near-term, while driving EV adoption over time. EV choices are expanding rapidly, from cars to SUVs to pickup trucks, giving Canadians options to fit their lifestyles.

Our goal has always been the same, help more Canadians get into EVs so they can save money and drive down emissions. We’re doing that by ensuring affordable options and making it more convenient with major investments in charging.

Making sure EVs are more affordable and reliable for Canadians:

Affordability can be a barrier for Canadians to buy electric vehicles. Our new government will offer a five-year EV Affordability Program to lower the cost and create a stronger domestic consumer market.

Starting February 16th, Canadians will have a rebate of up to $5,000 for electric vehicles and up to $2,500 for plug-in hybrids that have a final transaction value of up to $50,000 (the price cap does not apply to Canadian-made EVs and PHEVs).  The rebates will be available over 5 years, decreasing yearly as we expect to see greater price parity within the market.  

Range anxiety is often also raised as a barrier to buying an electric vehicle.  We are tripling our investments in the national EV charging network  through the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s Charging and Hydrogen Refueling Infrastructure Initiative, making it easier and more convenient for drivers to charge their EVs across the country. 

Just this week, I announced funding for an additional 8,000 charging stations to our existing stock of 30,000 charging stations nationally. With multiple new locations in Toronto.

Create the Conditions for Market Stability to Strengthen the Competitiveness of Canada’s Auto Sector:

The new auto strategy will strengthen Canada’s automotive remission framework to reward companies that produce and invest in Canada. It will also maintain counter-tariffs on auto imports from the United States to ensure a level playing field for Canadian automotive manufacturers in the domestic market.

Canada recently deepened its strategic partnership with the Republic of Korea by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen Canada-Korea industrial collaboration for future mobility. This builds on other MOUs that Canada has signed with global automakers to promote cooperation.

Canada has also agreed to a new strategic partnership with China, a global leader in EV manufacturing, to further diversify trade and catalyze new investment in the automotive sector. The recently announced partnership will look to drive new Chinese joint venture investment in Canada and allow for a fixed volume of Chinese EV imports into the Canadian market.

Protect Workers and Businesses from Present Economic Pressures:

Our auto industry has felt the impacts of the US tariffs. As we build on our work to diversity markets and incentivize new investments, we are supporting our workers through this challenging time.

The new auto strategy will provide support to employees through a new Work-Sharing grant – preventing layoffs and supporting worker retention so businesses can plan for the future. And we will establish a new workforce alliance of industry, labour, and training partners to address bottlenecks and catalyse private investment.

We will also address the current headwinds faced by auto workers by providing employment assistance and reskilling supports for up to 66,000 workers across Canada, including for displaced auto workers, with a $570 million investment.

As we welcome the Year of the Horse, I wish everyone celebrating a joyful and prosperous Lunar New Year on February 17th.

May this new beginning bring you strength, good health, and renewed energy. I hope you can get together with loved ones and reflect on the hope and opportunities ahead. 新年快乐 and happy Lunar New Year!

As the holy month of Ramadan begins on February 17th at sundown, I extend my warmest wishes to everyone observing.

May this period of reflection, and spiritual renewal bring peace and clarity to you and your loved ones. Ramadan Mubarak.

Valentine’s Day February 14th

National Flag of Canada Day February 15th

Family Day February 16th

Ramadan begins February 17th at sundown

Lunar New Year is on February 17th, welcoming the year of the fire horse.

Ash Wednesday February 18th

#ExperienceTO Historical Tours

1. Leslieville Historical Tour on Saturday, February 21, 2026 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., starting in front of the Toronto Public Library – Jones Branch (118 Jones Ave, Toronto, ON M4M 2Z9). The full event details are available here.

2. Riverdale Historical Tour on Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., starting in front of the Toronto Public Library – Riverdale Branch (370 Broadview Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 2M8). The full event details are available here

Riverdale Historical Tour on Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., starting  in front of the Toronto Public Library – Riverdale Branch (370 Broadview Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 2M8). The full event details are available here

Important Winter Flood Information from TRCA

Winter season brings specific flood risks like ice jams and heavy snowmelt. TRCA’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Program actively monitors these conditions to provide valuable updates to your local municipality. Stay prepared by signing up for TRCA’s Flood Messages at trca.ca/get-flood-messages.

Yours truly,

Julie

Hon. Julie Dabrusin, P.C.

Member of Parliament for Toronto-Danforth

Minister of Environment, Climate Change, and Nature