Carney shifts gears to get more EVs on Canada's roads

Feb 7, 2026

Mélanie Joly, federal Industry Minister steering a new auto strategy to boost Canadian EV production. Kathleen Petty, political commentator with deep Alberta insight, on Premier Danielle Smith’s push for judicial influence and rising separatist activity. They discuss new incentives for automakers, trade and supply rules, Alberta’s political maneuvering, and whether national unity can be preserved amid western unrest.

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INSIGHT

Detroit 3 Losing Ground In Canada

Greig Mordue highlights the Detroit 3's shrinking footprint in Canada while Honda and Toyota now lead production presence.
He warns no automaker should be taken for granted as capacity shifts respond to North American policy and investment choices.

ADVICE

Use Public Money To Secure Local Auto Investments

Mélanie Joly says government funding aims to protect auto jobs and reward companies investing in Canada.
She links incentives to securing projects that create or retain Canadian manufacturing and battery plants.

INSIGHT

Tradable Credits To Favor Canadian Production

The government plans tradable credits to reward cars built in Canada and limit tariff relief for exporters reducing local production.
This aims to steer market access toward manufacturers that increase domestic output.

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Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled the government's new auto strategy – which pulls the plug on the EV sales mandate, but includes measures to encourage Canadians to buy EVs and companies to build and sell those cars here.

Host Catherine Cullen asks Industry Minister Mélanie Joly why taxpayers should continue to spend money to help automakers. Then, auto industry expert Greig Mordue explains how auto makers may react, and climate scientist Simon Donner weighs in on whether the policy will result in more EVs on Canadian roads.

After that, Kathleen Petty, the host of CBC political podcast West of Centre, explains why Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is demanding more say over judicial appointments as concerns grow over Alberta's separatist movement — and its leaders meeting with Trump Republicans in Washington.

Plus, hundreds of politicos gathered in Ottawa this week to commemorate the 20th anniversary of former prime minister Stephen Harper forming government. Harper’s official portrait artist Phil Richards, as well as Harper biographer John Ibbitson and Toronto Star bureau chief Tonda MacCharles discuss what the painting tells us about Harper, his legacy and whether he might return to public life as separatism brews in his home province, Alberta.

Finally, the federal government has said it is gearing up to revive online harms legislation which could include Australia-like age restrictions on social media use. Josephine Maharaj, a 12th grader who testified at a parliamentary committee on online safety this week, and law professor Suzie Dunn tell host Catherine Cullen what they think the government should do to make the internet safer.

This episode features the voices of:

Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry
Greig Mordue, associate professor at W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology at McMaster University
Simon Donner, climate scientist and professor at the University of British Columbia
Kathleen Petty, host of CBC political podcast West of Centre
Phil Richards, Canadian artist
John Ibbitson, journalist and author of "Stephen Harper"
Tonda MacCharles, Ottawa bureau chief for the Toronto Star
Josephine Maharaj, youth rights advocate with Children First Canada.
Suzie Dunn, interim director of the Law & Technology Institute at Dalhousie University