Federal rebate on electric cars will push consumers to buy American, NDP says

A $5,000 rebate on electric cars announced in the recent federal budget will encourage Canadians to spend their money on foreign cars, according to NDP and union leaders in Windsor.

The rebate applies to zero-emission vehicles with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of under $45,000. The federal government has allotted $300 million over three years to the plan, beginning in 2019-2020.

Problem is, the Windsor-built Chrysler Pacifica Plug in Hybrid is excluded from the program because it's listed at $51,000 $6,000 over budget.

"It's devastating," said Windsor West MP Brian Masseat a rally heldoutside the Chrysler plant Friday.

"The prime minister has turned his back, and basically wants to send $300 million of taxpayers' money outside this country without even giving the Pacifica a chance."

Rally Friday

Masse was joined by Essex MP Tracey Ramsey, Windsor TecumsehMP Cheryl Hardcastle and Unifor Local 444 president Dave Cassidy.

They spoke to a crowd of workers and supporters, who waved Unifor flagsas cars passing by honked their support.

Cassidysaid the Pacifica is the only Canadian-built vehicle that could potentially qualify under the program were it not for the price.

"It's a Canadian-made [plug-in hybrid electric vehicle],so the government should've started right there... and figured out the incentive program from there," he said.

Cassidy said he believesthe low price ceiling was an "oversight," and that the government should alter the programrules so Pacifica buyers can qualify for the rebate.

To that end, the NDPis starting a petition, which Cassidy said will be distributed locally and nation-wide.

"We are gonna get this changed," he said. "Hell or high water, we're gonna get this changed."

CBC News reached out to theDepartmentof Finance Canadaand to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada for comment.

In response, ISED issued a statement saying they continue to support innovation in Canada's auto industry, but did not specifically address the issues raised by the NDP.