This morning in Toronto, Ministers Lawrence Cannon and John Baird announced some financial support — contingent up on the budget passing this spring — for initiatives to get Canadians to buy more fuel-efficient cars. Here’s the CP copy:
TORONTO – The Conservative government says it will provide up to $36 million to help consumers choose more environmentally friendly vehicles.
Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon and Environment Minister John Baird made the announcement at the Toronto International Auto Show's media day.
The funds include $21 million for a new program to encourage consumers to invest in green vehicles by providing information on fuel consumption.
Up to $15 million will go toward buying, testing and showcasing fuel-efficient technologies.
But Canadian Auto Workers president Buzz Hargrove told the Toronto Star he'd like to see Ottawa offer consumer incentives that will replace polluting vehicles with new, efficient ones.
Meanwhile, Natural Resources Canada has launched a “Personal Vehicles Initiative”. There, you can see the federal government’s list of the most fuel-efficient vehicles for each model year that you can buy in Canada. The 2007 list is just out and they are:
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– Two-seater car: Mazda MX-5;
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– Subcompact car: Toyota Yaris;
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– Compact car: Honda Civic Hybrid;
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– Mid-size car: Toyota Prius;
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– Full-size car: Hyundai Sonata;
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– Station wagon: Honda Fit;
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– Pickup truck: Ford Ranger and Mazda B2300 (co-winners);
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– Special purpose vehicle: Ford Escape Hybrid;
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– Minivan: Toyota Sienna; and
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– Large van: Chevrolet Express Cargo and GMC Savana Cargo (co-winners).