OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has condemned the Liberal government's electric vehicle sales mandate, claiming it threatens rural life in Canada. He announced plans for a nationwide campaign to repeal the policy, which he argues will harm farmers and rural communities.

During a press event in Saskatchewan on Thursday, Poilievre criticized the mandate, which requires all vehicle sales in Canada to be zero-emission by 2035. The policy sets incremental targets, starting with 20 percent of vehicle sales being electric by 2026 and increasing to 30 percent by 2030. The government introduced the mandate as part of its strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Poilievre stated, "It will kill jobs, balloon costs and grind rural communities to a halt. Farmers, ranchers, resource workers would not be able to do their jobs because EVs don’t work over long distances and in cold weather. It would literally erase many small towns from the map." He further claimed that the mandate would not only threaten rural communities but also the auto sector.

The Conservative Party has consistently opposed the EV mandate. Poilievre announced that the party would intensify its efforts against the policy through a "massive nationwide campaign." This campaign will include pressure initiatives in Liberal ridings, press conferences at car dealerships, and motions and petitions in Parliament this fall.

Poilievre is currently campaigning in Alberta for the byelection in the Battle River—Crowfoot riding, a seat traditionally held by Conservatives. The byelection is set for Monday.

Recent polling from Leger-Postmedia indicates that many Canadians are becoming skeptical of the EV sales mandate. The survey revealed that 71 percent of respondents believe the federal government's goal of all zero-emission vehicles by 2035 is "unrealistic" and should be rolled back. Only 29 percent supported maintaining the target despite its challenges.

The mandate has also faced criticism from major automakers. Shortly after Mark Carney's election as Prime Minister, the CEOs of five major car manufacturers urged him to repeal the zero-emission vehicle sales mandate, warning it could cause "serious damages" to the industry.

In addition to his comments on the EV mandate, Poilievre criticized Carney's handling of recent tariffs. He pointed to new Chinese tariffs of 76 percent on Canadian canola seed, which were implemented as a response to Canada's tariffs on electric vehicles made in China. Poilievre accused the Prime Minister of failing to protect Canadian farmers from these tariffs, stating, "These tariffs are unfair and unjustified."

Carney has not yet responded to the latest developments regarding the tariffs. However, Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald expressed disappointment over China's decision to impose provisional anti-dumping duties on Canadian canola seed, asserting that Canada does not engage in dumping practices.