The federal government’s transition toward electric vehicles must not come at the expense of rural Canadians, according to Haldimand–Norfolk Member of Parliament Leslyn Lewis.
In an Op-Ed sent to the radio station, Lewis said policies designed to reduce emissions need to recognize the different realities faced by rural communities compared to major urban centres.
The federal government previously proposed requiring all new light-duty vehicles sold in Canada to be electric by 2035 as part of its broader climate strategy. The goal of the policy was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and position Canada as a global leader in electric vehicle adoption.
However, Lewis said concerns raised by the auto industry and by rural residents led the government to move away from the original mandate and toward what she described as a more flexible approach.
Lewis argued that while the change was necessary, more work is needed to ensure rural communities are not disproportionately impacted by the transition.
She noted that residents in rural areas often rely heavily on personal vehicles because they travel longer distances for work, groceries, school and medical care.
Farmers, tradespeople and other rural workers also depend on trucks capable of hauling equipment and operating for long hours, she said.
Lewis added that charging infrastructure remains limited in many rural regions and that cold Canadian winters can reduce battery range for electric vehicles.
Cost is another challenge, she said, noting that many families cannot afford the higher upfront cost of electric vehicles even with government incentives.
Lewis said rural Canadians generally support cleaner technologies and environmental stewardship but that national policies must take regional differences into account.
She said building more charging infrastructure in rural areas and allowing flexibility in regulations would help ensure the transition to lower emissions does not place an unfair burden on rural communities.