Ottawa Backtracks on EV Mandates – David Eby Must Do The Same For B.C. Today
Kamloops, BC: With Prime Minister Mark Carney backtracking on Canada’s 2026 EV target and launching a full review of the federal zero-emission vehicle mandate, MLA for Kamloops Centre and Critic for Finance Peter Milobar is demanding the B.C. government do the same, and finally put the focus on rebuilding B.C’s economy.
Earlier this spring, our fellow Caucus member Hon Chan, MLA for Richmond Centre and Critic for Transit & ICBCB & Climate Solutions and Climate Readiness, became the first elected official in the country to introduce legislation to repeal a 100% EV sales mandate when he tabled the Zero-Emission Vehicles Repeal Act this past spring. The B.C. NDP blocked the bill outright, refusing even to consider the concerns of working families, industry leaders, and rural communities.
“Ottawa just admitted what the NDP refused to hear: this mandate doesn’t work,” said Milobar. “The federal government has backtracked on its own legislation, Alberta and Ontario have already rejected it, and yet David Eby is still plowing ahead as if none of the economic realities matter. We’ve been asking this government to meet the moment ever since industry leaders began raising the alarm, and still they won’t listen. If the NDP won’t listen to the British Columbians who say they don’t want this mandate, they must listen the federal government.”
Milobar stressed that while EVs can be part of the solution, mandates only create barriers, and that B.C. needs a much broader economic strategy with less red tape in the face of U.S. tariffs.
“B.C. families don’t just need more ideology from the NDP, they need real economic leadership,” Milobar added. “Under this government, our economy hasn’t thrived – it has stalled. That’s why back in July we launched our BuildBC initiative – to stand up for our industries, protect local jobs, and strengthen our supply chains. When tariffs hit, the answer has to be building up B.C., not doubling down on failed policies which drive up costs, and punish people for how they drive. British Columbians deserve choice, not rigid ideology.”
The Conservative Caucus of BC is calling on Premier Eby to immediately follow Ottawa’s move by pausing and reviewing B.C.’s EV mandate.
“If the federal government can admit this policy is broken, then there is no excuse for B.C. to keep doubling down. It’s time for Eby to put people ahead of politics.”
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Media Contact:
Francesca Guetchev, Communications Officer
Francesca.Guetchev@leg.bc.ca
+1 (672) 922-0948
