NetNewsLedger Politics – HALIFAX / OTTAWA – In a fiery campaign announcement from Halifax, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre declared that a future Conservative government would scrap the so-called “Car(ney) Tax”—a $20,000 penalty he claims will be levied on manufacturers for exceeding new federal quotas on gas-powered vehicle sales.

Conservatives: Scrap the Tax, Save the Industry

Poilievre’s pledge is part of his broader message to “axe the tax” and shield Canada’s traditional automotive sector from what he describes as ideologically driven mandates from the Liberal Party under Mark Carney’s influence. The Conservative leader argues the policy will cripple the industry, particularly in manufacturing hubs like Windsor and Oshawa, and could cost 38,000 jobs, referencing a study published in the Canadian Journal of Economics.

He reinforced commitments to:

  • Maintain existing EV plant and infrastructure agreements

  • Cut GST on Canadian-made vehicles

  • Create a “Keep Canadians Working Fund” to support workers impacted by U.S. tariffs

  • Let consumers choose between gas, hybrid, or electric vehicles

“A Conservative government …