This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news for car manufacturers, parts suppliers, car dealers, rental companies, and importers/exporters in the automotive industry. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Automotive? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Manufacturing and Oil & Gas. Also consider subscribing to our Automotive - Washington edition covering critical GR news south of the border.

Dates: 2026-04-05 to 2026-04-11

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Parliamentary Calendar
• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• Industry and Technology Committee to review AI regulation in strategic industries: On April 13, the House Industry and Technology Committee will meet from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. to hear witnesses on AI opportunities, risks, and regulation, including representatives from Next Generation Manufacturing Canada and Vector Institute.
• Environment Committee to consider Emissions Reduction Plan effectiveness report: On April 14, the Environment and Sustainable Development Committee will meet from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. to review the draft report on Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan and committee business in camera.
• Natural Resources Committee to discuss Canadian energy exports and critical minerals report: On April 14, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the Natural Resources Committee will hear from Enserva and the Indian Resource Council on Canadian energy exports before holding in camera consideration of a draft report on critical minerals.
• International Trade Committee schedules hearing on Free Trade within Canada: The International Trade Committee will meet on April 16 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to examine barriers and opportunities for free trade within Canada, with testimony from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and ministerial officials.

Federal Government News

Government of Canada invests $10.6M in national EV charging infrastructure

On April 8, Karim Bardeesy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry, announced $10.6 million for 14 electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure projects at the EV & Charging Expo in Toronto, acting on behalf of the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. These projects will deliver more than 1,600 new charging points across Canada, with additional funding of $1.1 million allocated to expand Plug’n Drive’s national EV test drive tour. The funding builds on the federal Auto Strategy, signaling a continued expansion in charging capabilities to support broader EV adoption. Key beneficiaries include small and medium-sized communities, where the Plug’n Drive initiative will facilitate direct EV education and comparison shopping opportunities. This rollout aims to increase confidence in EV technology availability and aligns federal investments with growing consumer and industry needs regarding zero-emission mobility.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal government details $11.7M allocation for EV charging and education across multiple provinces

Natural Resources Canada published a breakdown of $11.7 million in funding for 15 projects under the Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program on April 8. Major recipients include Greater Toronto Airport Authority ($2.64M, installing 178 Level 2, 84 Level 3 chargers), Société de gestion Cogir S.E.NC. in Quebec ($2.45M, 981 Level 2 chargers), and Bracebridge Generation Ltd. in Ontario ($1.95M, 26 fast chargers). Additional installations are planned by EV Start Inc. ($520,000), the City of Niagara Falls ($465,000), and the government of Prince Edward Island ($400,000), among others. Plug’n Drive receives national education funding of $1.1 million to expand in-field consumer outreach, test drives, and charging demonstrations. This cross-country infrastructure slate targets a spectrum of deployment from airport hubs to rural and urban locales.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada invests over $11M in Quebec battery technology and critical minerals projects

On April 8, Claude Guay, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced over $11 million for battery innovation projects under Natural Resources Canada’s Energy Innovation Program in Candiac, Quebec. Nano One Materials Corp. was allocated $4.3 million to commercialize its lithium iron phosphate production process. EcoPro Lithium Inc. will receive $6 million for scaling up battery-grade lithium metal and ultra-thin anode foil manufacturing. NanoXplore is granted nearly $700,000 towards prototyping ultra-high-power lithium-ion battery cells. These targeted investments are designed to build up battery materials processing capacity, support the domestic supply chain for electric vehicles, and enable next-generation battery performance improvements.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Growth Fund commits $113M to Nouveau Monde Graphite’s Matawinie Mine expansion

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance, on April 9 welcome a commitment by the Canada Growth Fund to invest approximately US$82 million (C$113 million) in Nouveau Monde Graphite (NMG), as part of a US$297 million financing package. The investment will support the construction of the Matawinie Mine in Saint-Michel-des-Saints, Quebec, and development at NMG’s Bécancour refining facility. The Matawinie site is expected to be one of North America’s largest graphite operations, serving as a strategic supplier for clean technology and advanced manufacturing inputs, including electric vehicle batteries. The deal positions Canada to retain intellectual property and technical know-how for natural graphite processing. The financing also includes participation from Eni S.p.A., Investissement Québec, and public equity.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and Quebec sign $6.7M agreement for rural transit projects under the Rural Transit Solutions Fund

On April 10, the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, and Jonatan Julien, Quebec’s Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, finalized a bilateral agreement for Rural Transit Solutions Fund allocation in Quebec. The $6.7 million in funding will support 14 communities, targeting planning and implementation of rural public transit infrastructure. The agreement is tailored to support local priorities, adjusting for the unique transit needs of rural municipalities. Funding is expected to cover a range of community-driven options, from fixed-route services to on-demand solutions, with consideration for alternative mobility such as e-bikes.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Alberta launches Canadian Trucking Regulations Hub for cross-jurisdiction compliance

On April 9, Alberta introduced the Canadian Trucking Regulations Hub, a digital platform consolidating regulatory and operational requirements for truck drivers moving goods interprovincially. The tool aims to save time for industry by centralizing information on permits, safety codes, and infrastructure limitations.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

ICBC invests $13.3M in apprenticeship grants to build B.C.’s collision repair workforce

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) announced on April 10 a $13.3 million investment over four years in new apprenticeship grants for auto body and collision repair technicians. The program provides up to $56,500 per apprentice and includes components for rural apprentices, Indigenous workers, and women.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation: Allocation and administration of EV import quota from China

Global Affairs Canada opened a consultation on April 7 seeking feedback on Canada’s policy for allocating and managing the import quota for electric vehicles from China. Input will inform the government’s longer-term quota administration.

Sources: international.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Opinion: How to fight car thefts, fentanyl and lift our economy – all at once: The Globe and Mail discusses strategies for addressing crime and economic growth.

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