Canadian Legislative Updates

Federal Environment Minister Peter Kent has announced that the government is committed to improving fuel efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from new on-road heavy-duty vehicles. Announced on December 4, proposed regulations have been initiated to help reduce GHG emissions from 2018 model year heavy-duty vehicles by up to 23 percent from those sold in 2010.

Minister Kent highlighted that at today’s gas prices, a truck operator driving a model year 2018 vehicle would save up to $9,600 per year in fuel compared to driving a 2010 model year vehicle.

The proposed regulations, which were published in April 2012, would reduce emissions from a wide range of heavy-duty vehicles, including large pick-up trucks, buses and others, for the 2014 model year and beyond. Through these regulations, the Government of Canada will still be able to continue establishing emission standards and test procedures that are aligned with those of the United States.

Minister Kent has announced that through the proposed regulations, GHG emissions from Canada’s heavy-duty vehicles will be reduced by nineteen megatons over the lifetime of vehicles produced in the model years’ 2014-2018 cohort.


Minister Kent has also announced that the government of Canada is taking further action to improve fuel efficiency and reduce GHG emissions from passenger cars and light trucks for 2017 and later model years. The proposed regulations build on current regulations for 2011 to 2016 model years. As a result, 2025 vehicles will emit about half as many GHGs as 2008 models and will consume up to 50 percent less fuel than 2008 vehicles.


Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has announced that the government is supporting environmentally friendly technology by helping electric car owners install charging stations at their homes and businesses.

Effective January 1, 2013, green rebates will be introduced for homeowners and businesses who received a provincial electric vehicle rebate and have installed or are planning to install an electric vehicle charging station. Applicants will be eligible for rebates of up to $1,000 or 50 percent of the total purchase and installation cost, whichever is lower.

As of January 1, 2013, interested applicants can visit www.ontario.ca/electricvehicles for full criteria details and information.


The Prince Edward Island government has tabled tougher penalties for impaired driving. Announced by Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Robert Vessey, the amendments to the Highway Traffic Act will strengthen impaired legislation by:

• Expanding the ignition interlock program to include mandatory participation for first-time offenders
• Outlining minimum time frames for participation in the program including: one year for the first offense, two years for the second offense, and five years for the third offense
• Increasing the mandatory time in the ignition interlock program by one year if a passenger under the age of sixteen is in the vehicle at the time of the offense
• New measures to impound vehicles