Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
ADVT 
National

Trudeau touts electric vehicles at B.C. stop

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 11 Apr, 2022 01:37 PM
  • Trudeau touts electric vehicles at B.C. stop

VICTORIA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he wants to make it easier for more Canadians to drive electric vehicles and he isn't ruling out nuclear power as a cleaner source of energy.

Trudeau said electric vehicles fight pollution, but often are too expensive for many Canadians.

"We know we need to cut emissions," he said Monday at an outdoor news conference at Royal Roads University in the suburban Victoria community of Colwood.

"We know we need to reduce pollution and one of the best ways of doing that is to get more clean cars on the road," he said.

Last week's federal budget placed an emphasis on transitioning to the green economy, which included expanding the availability of zero-emission vehicles and charging stations, Trudeau said.

The federal government will extend a current program that offers electric vehicle buyers up to $5,000 to help with purchases and it will introduce mandatory sales targets that require 20 per cent of all vehicles sold by 2026 to be electric, he said.

"We know electric vehicles are more expensive up front even if over the long term they turn out to be cheaper," said Trudeau. "We know people need that help up front."

The sales target program will expand over the coming years, said Trudeau, with 60 per cent of vehicle sales being electric by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2035.

The 2022 budget includes $400 million over five years to expand charging infrastructure.

"The investment in this budget is going to allow for thousands more (charging stations)," Trudeau said. "We know that that is a key path forward in helping families make that final decision to switch to electric."

In order to charge those vehicles, Trudeau said Canada must embark on more electrification initiatives, including the possibility of increased nuclear power.

“It’s very clear, first of all, that we need to reduce our emissions, we need to reduce our dependence on oil and gas," he said. "If we didn’t already know that, the conflict in Ukraine right now with Russia’s illegal invasion is emphasizing just how much we need to be able to find cleaner sources of energy for our communities, for our country."

Trudeau did not expand on the possible expansion of nuclear power in Canada, saying, “Nuclear’s on the table, absolutely.”

A spokeswoman for a Canadian clean energy think tank said five per cent of Canada's vehicle sales are already electric models, with B.C. at 13 per cent.

Merran Smith, Clean Energy Canada executive director, said recent data suggests 80 per cent of Canadians are open to considering an electric vehicle.

"Despite the high sticker price of an EV, the fuel and maintenance savings are so significant that the EV version often comes out tens of thousands of dollars cheaper," she said at the news conference. "That's the future."

Three senior cabinet minister were also in B.C. and Yukon on Monday to discuss the budget.

International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan was scheduled to be in Kelowna, B.C., for a clean economy announcement and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson was slated to travel to Whitehorse to announce a clean energy partnership with Yukon and the Indigenous-run Tlingit Homeland Energy Limited Partnership.

Federal Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray was scheduled to be in Richmond, B.C., for an infrastructure announcement.

Trudeau's tour also included meetings scheduled with Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps and the City of Victoria Youth Advisory Council.

MORE National ARTICLES

Ukraine MPs ask Canada for money to buy weapons

Ukraine MPs ask Canada for money to buy weapons
The group of Ukrainian parliamentarians are in Ottawa this week to meet Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other federal government officials in a desperate bid to secure more support.

Ukraine MPs ask Canada for money to buy weapons

B.C. considers fourth COVID-19 dose: minister

B.C. considers fourth COVID-19 dose: minister
Health Minister Adrian Dix says the province is preparing to provide an update this Tuesday on potentially making a fourth COVID-19 dose available to vulnerable people in British Columbia. The minister says discussions are underway about providing a second booster shot to clinically vulnerable people such as those in long-term care.

B.C. considers fourth COVID-19 dose: minister

249 COVID19 cases for Thursday

249 COVID19 cases for Thursday
There are 281 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 42 are in intensive care. In the past 24 hours, two new deaths (Fraser Health) have been reported, for an overall total of 2,998.

249 COVID19 cases for Thursday

2 youths arrested for an alleged assault involving a machete in Coquitlam

2 youths arrested for an alleged assault involving a machete in Coquitlam
On March 10, 2022, just after 6 p.m., a man was chased into the Burquitlam SkyTrain Station by two suspects, one of whom was seen carrying a large machete. The man attempted to use a pylon to protect himself, while one of the suspects allegedly swung the machete in his direction several times. The machete eventually made contact with the side of the victim’s head.

2 youths arrested for an alleged assault involving a machete in Coquitlam

Federal ministers highlight Russia war crime probe

Federal ministers highlight Russia war crime probe
Harjit Sajjan offered that view as a half dozen extra RCMP investigators head to The Hague to assist in the International Criminal Court investigation of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.

Federal ministers highlight Russia war crime probe

NATO estimate of Canadian defence spending dips

NATO estimate of Canadian defence spending dips
NATO estimated last June that Canada would spend about 1.39 per cent of its national GDP on defence in 2021. Defence Minister Anita Anand says this morning that the government has committed to increase defence spending, noting a federal budget will be presented next week.

NATO estimate of Canadian defence spending dips