Environment Committee on Nov. 24th, 2025

[Shannon Miedema, Liberal, Halifax, NS]

I think Canada's focus is on what it can control. We don't know how long this uncertainty from the United States is going to continue.

I have just one point to make about hybrids before I move on to the other witnesses. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are included in the EVAS. That is essentially the compromise for areas that need it as we continue to roll out complete charging infrastructure across this country.

Monsieur Côté, can you talk about why EVAS is important when we have things like the sunsetting of the Roulez vert program and other subsidies? How can we continue moving forward with the transition?

[Sébastien Côté]

I'm sorry. I'm not sure I got the start of your question. Can you repeat it, please?

[Shannon Miedema, Liberal, Halifax, NS]

Sure.

The roulez vert program is coming to an end, along with other subsidies.

What does that do to the importance of having the electric vehicle availability standard?

[Sébastien Côté]

For manufacturers and dealers, that will result in an adjustment to the price of vehicles sold in Canada. Dealers and manufacturers adjusted their prices after the subsidy cuts that took place this year, so we know it's possible.

It remains to be seen, then, how the market or industry will adapt to that. It unfortunately may not be as quick as the removal of subsidies.

[Shannon Miedema, Liberal, Halifax, NS]

Thank you.

Your organization is for consumers. You do a lot of education and awareness. Do you do surveys of your membership?

[Sébastien Côté]

Yes, we do surveys. There have been two since I took office in 2018. We also participate, as partners, in larger surveys. Yes, our members are asked to respond to surveys.

[Shannon Miedema, Liberal, Halifax, NS]

Mr. Adams talked in his testimony about the collapse of consumer demand for electric vehicles, which runs counter to what we've heard from a lot of testimony through this study. I'm wondering what your consumers would say about the demand for electric vehicles in Quebec.

[Sébastien Côté]

The demand is still there. In Quebec, people will definitely make the transition. With the uncertainty surrounding subsidies, people don't seem to be reacting as much as they used to. They're going to continue buying their vehicles. They may be pushed further, but when they have to change vehicles, they will still consider an electric vehicle. Most, in fact, almost all, will buy another electric vehicle.

[Shannon Miedema, Liberal, Halifax, NS]

Monsieur Pascalon, would you like to comment on that? What do you have to say about this statement about the collapse of consumer demand for electric vehicles, from your perspective?

[Stéphane Pascalon, Senior project manager, Propulsion Québec]

We see that demand is continuing in Quebec. It has simply slowed down because the political environment in support of electric vehicles is too variable. We noticed that, in the first quarter of 2025, there was a significant drop because of federal and provincial purchase rebates disappearing for two months. People waited to buy their vehicles.

Having a stable environment is really what will get people to commit. Having charging infrastructure is also very important, because charging infrastructure is built according to electric vehicle sales targets. As Mr. Adams said earlier, it's the whole ecosystem surrounding electric vehicles that has to be predictable.

[Shannon Miedema, Liberal, Halifax, NS]

Thank you so much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Angelo Iacono]

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Ms. Miedema.

Mr. Bonin, you have the floor for six minutes.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Mr. Adams, some of your members support the electric vehicle availability standard. I'm thinking in particular of Volkswagen and Kia. There are others, such as Honda and Toyota, that are doing everything they can to get rid of it.

You represent everyone. Where do you fit into all of this?

[David Adams]

Sorry, I didn't hear the last part.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

You represent Honda, Toyota, Kia and Volkswagen. Kia and Volkswagen are in favour of the standard, and Honda and Toyota are doing everything they can to get rid of it. Is your association, which represents everyone, for or against the standard?

[David Adams]

As outlined, if EVAS is going to remain, it needs to have the recommended changes that I outlined in my remarks.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

You aren't against the standard, then, but you want to water it down. I don't believe that's the position of Volkswagen and Kia.

[David Adams]

That's the position of the industry association.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Is that the position of Volkswagen and Kia?

[David Adams]

You would have to ask Volkswagen or Kia.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Okay.

That said, you represent those people, don't you?

[David Adams]

Yes.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

You can't tell me what their position is.

[David Adams]

Their position is what I have outlined here, as our group. That's what we have consensus on.

[Patrick Bonin, Bloc, Repentigny, QC]

Volkswagen and Kia have the same position as Toyota and Honda.