Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Terrebonne today.

I rise today not only as a representative of my constituents but also as a voice for Canadians who believe in a cleaner, more prosperous future for our country.

We are at a turning point, a moment that calls for both courage and collaboration. Climate change is not a distant threat; it is a present reality, and in my home province of British Columbia, we have seen the effects of climate change. We have felt its effects with wildfires, floods and heat waves, which cost lives, homes and billions of dollars every year. In 2023 alone, insured damages from wildfires topped $8 billion. These are not abstract figures. There are families displaced, workers unemployed and futures uncertain. However, with this tremendous challenge, there is also a massive opportunity to reimagine our economy, to empower workers with good jobs and to protect the health of Canadians.

One of the most immediate, visible and impactful tools in that transformation is the electric vehicle. Let us be clear: Transportation is Canada's second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and a major source of air pollution that is harming our health. If we are serious about building a net-zero economy by 2050, we must continue to address how we move people and goods across this vast land. Electric vehicles represent a transformative shift in that journey.

EVs are more than technology; they are a cornerstone of our national climate plan and a catalyst for economic growth. I will share a few facts. Over 80% of our electricity grid is already non-emitting, meaning charging EVs in Canada will have a much lower life cycle carbon footprint than in many other countries, and the environmental benefits are clear. EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, which means cleaner air in our cities and towns, reducing respiratory illnesses and improving the quality of life. Air pollution from our road transportation emissions in Canada costs approximately $9 billion in health-related economic costs, and that burden falls disproportionately on vulnerable populations, including children, seniors and marginalized communities. By accelerating the supply of EVs, not only are we reducing greenhouse gases, but we are also advancing public health, energy independence and economic inclusion.

It is worth noting that while oil and gas remain a significant part of our economy and our export profile, our long-term prosperity depends on diversifying our energy mix. It depends on ensuring Canadians have cleaner choices at home, and EVs are that choice.

Critics sometimes ask whether Canadians are ready for this shift. The answer is yes, and they are asking us to lead. More and more Canadians want clean, reliable and affordable transportation.

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