A recent survey conducted by the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI) and Ipsos revealed that 55% of Canadians oppose the federal government’s plan to ban the sale of conventional vehicles by 2035, with two-thirds deeming the goal unrealistic. Key concerns include the high cost of electric vehicles, a lack of charging infrastructure, and reduced performance in cold weather, which 70%, 66%, and 64% of respondents respectively cited as reasons for their hesitation. The poll also found that only 26% of Canadians believe that Ottawa’s timeline for electric vehicle adoption is realistic, reflecting widespread skepticism about the feasibility of the plan.
In addition to concerns about electric vehicle mandates, the survey highlighted Canadian dissatisfaction with the federal government’s handling of energy projects. Seven in ten respondents expressed worry about job losses resulting from the cancellation of energy projects due to regulatory challenges. Moreover, 76% of Canadians believe that the federal environmental impact assessment process is too lengthy, hindering the success of these projects. Canadians are calling for leadership from Ottawa and the provinces to streamline approval processes and reduce bureaucratic delays to support the energy industry and the broader economy.
