Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish confirms that no one from the City of Mississauga reviewed or signed the Auto Mayors’ letter calling for repeal of the EVAS mandate 

By Daniel Breton, Electric Mobility Canada 

Let us be crystal clear: the so-called “Auto Mayors” letter, urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to scrap Canada’s Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) or Electric Vehicle Availability Standards (EVAS), did not bear the imprimatur—or even a courtesy glance—of the Mayor of Mississauga. Mayor Parrish has confirmed via her X account that neither she nor her office authorized or endorsed that letter. That alone must raise serious questions about the legitimacy and representativeness of the entire initiative. 

Yet despite its questionable backing, the letter—dated July 24, 2025—was presented as the united voice of 48 municipal leaders from Ontario’s automotive heartland. It criticizes the federal ZEV mandate, warning of “irreversible damage” to the auto industry, job losses, plant closures, and lost competitiveness, suggesting outright scrapping of the mandate. 

But let’s push back—firmly, constructively, and fact-based: 

1. No mandate means no transformation. The EVAS policy is deliberate. It’s designed to guide Canada’s auto sector toward a low-carbon future. Without mandatory goals, we risk leaving the sector adrift, lagging behind a worldwide shift that is moving decisively beyond internal combustion (ICE). 

1. Job protection hinges on adaptation, not avoidance. Yes, automakers have paused investments—Honda’s delayed $15-billion EV/battery plant, Ford’s cancelled EV line in Oakville, Stellantis slowing rollout—are real setbacks. Weakening or abandoning EVAS would signal that Canada isn’t serious about moving in step with the global shift to electrification. The jurisdictions that embrace clear, ambitious standards will capture the future of manufacturing and the high-quality jobs it brings, while those that hesitate will be left behind. 

1. The EVAS is an economic growth strategy. Canada’s long-term economic strength depends on positioning our auto sector at the forefront of the EV revolution. Strong EVAS targets drive innovation, attract global investment, and anchor advanced manufacturing here at home—ensuring that the benefits of the transition flow to Canadian workers and communities rather than overseas. 

1. Consumers want choices that are good for their families. EVAS isn’t just about factories and jobs—it’s about giving Canadians more choice. By ensuring automakers supply enough zero-emission models nationwide, EVAS means shorter wait times, more competitive pricing, and access to the latest technology. It empowers consumers to choose cleaner, cheaper-to-run vehicles without being limited by what’s left on the lot. 

1. Leadership requires vision, not retreat. If some mayors are genuinely worried about jobs and investment, the better path is to invest in charging infrastructure, offer local incentives, retraining programs, EV R&D clusters—not press Ottawa to backslide. 

The bottom line: the government must stay on course with the EVAS. Canada’s economic and environmental well-being depends on it. Rolling back or watering down the policy is not leadership, it’s capitulation. 

In contrast, let’s celebrate municipalities and leaders who are stepping up: building EV-ready infrastructure, supporting workforce training, and fostering advanced battery manufacturing partnerships. That’s how we keep —not lose—good jobs in Ontario. 

Because Mayor Parrish’s non-endorsement underscores something fundamental: this “Auto Mayors’” letter does not speak for all. It is, at best, a select, and perhaps misrepresented, subset of voices calling for a return to the dark ages. 

Electric Mobility Canada calls on every mayor, council, and citizen to engage actively in this transition.  The road to net zero is paved with bold choices. It’s time to drive forward.