Mr. Speaker, I heard someone say “choice”, and that is their choice, actually.
Families want to save money at the pump. Workers want to participate in building the vehicles of tomorrow. Municipalities want to electrify bus fleets, and I have had the opportunity to make major announcements in the electrifying of bus fleets in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Also, young Canadians want to inherit a livable planet. This is why our government has invested over $120 billion in clean technologies, including EV innovation and manufacturing. We have also introduced the zero-emission vehicle availability standard so that Canadians will have many choices when they are ready to make the switch.
The long wait times we saw in the past few years left many drivers feeling frustrated and anxious when they needed a new vehicle to get around or commute to work. These policies will help to ensure that 100% of new light-duty vehicles sold in Canada will be zero-emission by 2035. However, Canadians should not worry; they will always be allowed to drive their favourite gas-powered vehicle and sell their old vehicle when they are ready for another one.
Our government's plan to put more EVs on the roads applies to new vehicles, but that is not all. Electric vehicles also represent a major economic opportunity.
In 2023 alone, Canada added over 350,000 green jobs. These are not just jobs in labs or boardrooms; they are jobs for mechanics, electricians, miners and assembly line workers. They are jobs rooted in communities from Windsor and Winnipeg to Whitehorse, and these jobs are not fleeting; they are foundational. One of the reasons for this is that Canada is one of a number of trading partners with EV targets, and we are aligned with the 2035 targets in the United Kingdom, the E.U., China and U.S. states covering 40% of the auto market, including New York State, California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Maine.
As countries around the world race to transition to clean energy, Canada has the potential to become a trusted global supplier, not just of clean electricity and critical minerals but also of the vehicles and technologies that will drive a net-zero future. We are not alone in this race. According to the International Energy Agency, global investment in clean energy doubled that of fossil fuels in 2024. Major economies, such as those of the United States, Germany and China, are moving aggressively. If we hesitate, we risk falling behind. If we lead, and if we continue to invest in our people, our resources and our ideas, Canada can win.
I know some will argue that the transition is too fast or too costly, but the cost of inaction is far greater. The wildfires, floods and economic disruptions of climate change are already here, and they are growing. Canadians understand that climate policy is economic policy. They want energy that is affordable and clean. They want an economy that works for everyone, not just today but tomorrow.
Canadians want leadership, so let us be clear in our purpose: The electric vehicle is not just a cleaner car, but it is a symbol of what is possible when we unite technology, policy and public will. It is a vehicle not only of transport but of transition toward a future that is sustainable, equitable and prosperous.
Let us continue to build that future. Let us ensure that every Canadian, regardless of their region, income or background, can be part of the clean energy economy. Let us invest in people, infrastructure and innovation so Canada not only meets the challenges of this moment but leads the world in addressing them.
If we continue to work together with vision and determination, Canada will not only build back better, but we will build forward stronger, cleaner and more united than ever.