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Automotive Industry

During question period, members questioned the government about the automotive sector, prompted by reports that Honda has scrapped a planned $15-billion electric vehicle plant in Alliston, Ontario. The Conservatives said the government’s electric vehicle policies and EV rebates were costing Canadian auto jobs while allowing tens of thousands of electric vehicles from China into the country, which they said posed security concerns, and asked why Canadian workers were paying the price. The Liberals responded that tariffs are affecting the industry globally, that the Alliston plant remains strong with over 4,000 workers, that industry representatives had endorsed the rebate policy, and pointed to a $1.5-billion support package for auto, steel, aluminum, and copper workers, saying the sector is supported during the trade war.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

6 statements

Scot Davidson

Conservative
“Honda cancelled plans for a $15-billion electric car factory in Ontario, costing thousands of jobs. This is because Liberal policies force companies to build cars Canadians do not want, while spending billions to subsidize foreign cars. Why are Canadian auto workers paying the price for the government's failed policies?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I have breaking news. Reports say that Honda has scrapped plans to build a new $15-billion EV plant in Alliston, at the cost of thousands of jobs. This is a direct result of Liberal policies that forced Canadian automakers to make cars that Canadians do not want. They are now spending $2.3 billion to fund rebates on foreign-made EVs. With no consumer demand and no CUSMA deal in sight, it is no wonder manufacturers are walking away. Why are Canadian auto workers paying the price for the Liberals’ failed auto policies?

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Karim Bardeesy

Liberal
“Tariffs are hurting the car industry around the world, but our car plant in Alliston is still strong. We are investing in workers and bringing in new business to support the industry.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we know that tariffs are affecting the industry globally, but we also know that we have a very strong plant in Alliston, with 4,100 workers. They recently rolled off their 11 millionth car, making the popular CR-V and Civic brands. We also know that we need to be there for our sector, which is why we are investing in workers. We are embracing a sustainable future, and we are attracting new investment, which I will be happy to get into in the supplementary.

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Scot Davidson

Conservative
“The government's policies hurt Canadian auto jobs while supporting electric cars made in China, including 49,000 imported this year. I want the government to admit it is choosing Chinese car makers over Canadian workers.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, they cannot blame market shifts for their own failures. The Liberal government told us for years that the future is EVs. They just did not tell us that it was Chinese EVs. The government should be making it cheaper for Canadians to buy the cars they want to drive, built by Canadians. Instead, the Liberal policies are killing auto jobs and investment while subsidizing foreign-made electric vehicles, such as the 49,000 imported from China this year. Will the Liberals admit that they are choosing Chinese automakers over Canadian workers?

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Karim Bardeesy

Liberal
“Our electric vehicle rebates work, and car makers support them. Companies are investing in new plants and battery factories across Ontario with government help. We will keep supporting this industry.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the head of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association, on Monday, at committee, said that the rebate policy was a good policy and that it embraced the purchases of the kinds of vehicles Canadians want. In terms of EVs and other kind of investments, the good news is that there is new investment coming, the PowerCo plant in St. Thomas, the NextStar facility, which has rolled off one million battery cells. We have new investments in Cambridge, Oshawa and Oakville. There are investments in St. Catharines. Investments in our sector are happening with the government’s support and because there is confidence in this industry. It is a coast-to-coast sector, with concentration in southern Ontario, and we will continue to be there for that.

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Scot Davidson

Conservative
“The Prime Minister is allowing 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles into Canada instead of supporting Canadian automakers. Experts say these vehicles spy for China. I want to know why the Prime Minister is risking our security and hurting our auto industry.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is selling out Canada’s auto sector and doubling down on Chinese EVs. I want to know if he will be riding in one in his motorcade. Experts have called the EVs “rolling spy vans”, designed to feed data back to servers in China. The Prime Minister called China our greatest security threat. The government is still shipping 49,000 of them in while our own automakers are shut out. Why is the Prime Minister compromising our national security and our auto industry to cozy up to Beijing?

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Evan Solomon

Liberal
“We just invested $1.5 billion to support our auto, steel, aluminum, and copper workers during this trade war. Industry groups say this help is necessary. The opposition should stop criticizing this sector.”

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Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I respect the hon. member, but I am surprised that the opposition continues to run down auto workers and this sector in the midst of a trade war. We just put forward $1.5 billion to support the sector with steel, aluminum and copper, as well as auto workers. The Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters said this is “a constructive step to help manufacturers and exporters manage through a period of significant economic uncertainty.” The Canadian Steel Producers Association said it is “essential to help pivot and realign our businesses to ensure our long-term competitiveness as we navigate this...trade war.”

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