Left to Right: Frédéric Morin, CCAQ; Denis Leclerc, Albi le Géant; Normand Hébert, Park Avenue Group; Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada; Jacques Olivier, Groupe Olivier; Denis Dessureault, CCAM; Charles Bernard and Huw Williams, CADA.
Quebec dealers meet federal Environment Minister
August 21, 2023
Getting access to decision makers who shape public policy impacting car dealers is one of the key deliverables that CADA provides to its members.
To achieve, it takes years of work behind the scenes, building relationships and trust so that productive dialogue can happen at key moments.
The success of those efforts was in evidence at a recent meeting organized by CADA, featuring the provincial dealer association, la Corporation des concessionnaires automobiles du Québec (CCAQ), the Montréal association, La Corporation des concessionnaires d’automobiles de Montréal (CCAM), and a group of influential Quebec car dealers. That group met directly in a roundtable format with Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada, his deputy minister, and chief of staff. Guilbeault has been in the role since 2021, and has been at the forefront of the push for Canada to adopt aggressive EV mandates by 2035.
“As part of our outreach to Mr. Guilbeault, CADA organized a roundtable with Quebec dealers — rural and urban — to outline concerns dealers are hearing on the ground from consumers about the impact of the rapid move to zero-emissions mandates,” said Huw Williams, CADA’s Director of Public Affairs. “Minister Guilbeault proved to be an able listener, understanding and taking in the dealers’ points, and offering to set up further meetings on behalf of dealers that might aid the transition to EVs.”
Williams said while the dealers expressed support for the move to electrification, they spoke about the risks of moving too quickly, and ultimately souring consumers on the experience of zero-emission vehicle ownership. “We are grateful to the dealers, the CCAQ and CCAM for delivering the Quebec and Montréal perspectives. They spoke very eloquently to the issues, with lots of key and positive takeaways,” said Williams.
Representing the dealers were: Frédéric Morin from CCAQ, Denis Leclerc from Albi le Géant, Normand Hébert from Park Avenue Group, Jacques Olivier from Groupe Olivier, Denis Dessureault from CCAM, Huw Williams and Charles Bernard from CADA.
Williams said that in the first quarter of 2023, EVs represented 8% of new vehicle sales in Canada, and we are trending in the right direction. “But we need to make sure we have a solution in place to take key factors into account. Canada is a large country, and weather is a big factor, and we need the charging infrastructure in place to manage driving those long distances. The availability and reliability of the power grid and charging networks are things the minister needs to explore further.”
Williams said if factors such as these, along with vehicle affordability and supply availability aren’t addressed, then the risk is that consumers start to push back and revolt against the mandates and the governments that are imposing them. “If you move too fast you will have a consumer rebellion. Consumers will hold onto higher polluting vehicles and will cry out for a change of government,” said Williams.
While CADA is actively raising these issues at other levels of government, including through the work with the Canadian Automotive Partnership Council (CAPC), these grassroots meetings where local dealers roll up their sleeves is where you can make additional progress, said Williams.
“Minister Guibault was gracious enough to host the group in the Minister’s regional office in downtown Montréal, and ensure his Deputy Minister and Chief of Staff were also in attendance so they could track and action the concern of dealers,” said Williams.