Canada is making good on its promise to revise its own vehicle emissions standards.
The process has already begun; Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, announced as much on August 20.
The Government of Canada has since published a discussion paper that marks the beginning of consultations on “the mid-term evaluation of Canada’s light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas emission regulations” for the 2022–2025 model years.
According to an Environment and Climate Change Canada news release, the discussion will focus on a range of issues, including:
- Cost savings for Canadians as a result of more fuel-efficient vehicles;
- Cost of compliance with existing light-duty vehicle regulations;
- Canada’s commitments under the Paris climate change agreement, along with the country’s clean growth and climate action plan; and
- Competitiveness of the Canadian auto industry within an integrated North American market for vehicle manufacturing and trade.
“Cleaner cars are good news for the planet, and they save Canadians money at the pump. This means more money in the pockets of middle-class families,” said Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “We’re committed to cutting pollution across the transportation sector while maintaining a strong and competitive auto industry. This review will help us enact regulations that will protect the environment and grow the economy.”
The review comes after the Trump administration announced it would freeze vehicle emissions standards in the U.S. from 2020 levels onward. The rules were originally set by the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) and greenhouse gas emissions programs. The move by Trump reverses a deal that the Obama administration stuck with California and vehicle manufacturers.
The regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles and light trucks in Canada has been aligned with those of the U.S. since the 2011 model year, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
