Should Canada Build Its Own Electric Vehicles?

Should Canada Build Its Own Electric Vehicles?

As the global race toward electrification accelerates, countries like Vietnam, Turkey, and Mexico are stepping up with bold investments in their own EV industries.

🇻🇳 Vietnam is already making waves with VinFast, an EV brand expanding globally—including in the U.S. and Europe.

🇹🇷 Turkey has launched TOGG, its first domestically-produced EV, aiming to transform its auto industry and reduce reliance on imports.

🇲🇽 Mexico, a manufacturing powerhouse, is attracting major investments from global automakers to build EVs domestically, capitalizing on its trade deals and skilled labor force.

So where does Canada stand?

Despite being rich in critical minerals (like lithium, nickel, and cobalt) and having a skilled workforce and strong automotive sector, Canada still relies heavily on foreign automakers to lead EV production here. But with global demand rising and climate goals pressing, isn’t it time for Canada to take the wheel?

💡 Imagine a made-in-Canada EV brand—powered by Canadian innovation, built with Canadian resources, and designed for Canadian roads.

Should Canada invest in building its own national EV brand like others are doing? Or continue as a key supplier and manufacturing partner for global giants?

On This day June 26

🏛️ Historical Events

  • 1919 – End of the Winnipeg General Strike
    Canada’s largest labour strike, involving over 30,000 workers, came to a dramatic close on June 26, 1919. It had paralyzed the city and ended in arrests and a police crackdown—”Bloody Saturday”—but it also laid the foundation for future labour reforms

  • 1925 – Miners’ Strike in Drumheller, Alberta
    On June 26, 1925, a miners’ strike in Drumheller escalated into violence, reflecting the turbulent labour climate in the region

  • 1959 – Official Opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway
    Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, and US President Eisenhower inaugurated the St. Lawrence Seaway on June 26, 1959—creating one of North America’s most significant inland shipping routes

  • 1976 – CN Tower Opens in Toronto
    The iconic CN Tower officially opened to the public on this day in 1976. At 553 m (1,815 ft), it was the world’s tallest freestanding structure until 2007

🇨🇦 Cultural Observance

  • National Canoe Day
    June 26 is celebrated across Canada as National Canoe Day, recognizing the canoe’s deep-rooted place in Canadian culture and identity. The Canadian Canoe Museum often hosts events, including free admission and virtual activities

📊 Quick Summary

Year Event
1919 Winnipeg General Strike ends
1925 Drumheller miners riot during Alberta strike
1959 St. Lawrence Seaway officially opens
1976 CN Tower in Toronto opens
Today Canadians celebrate National Canoe Day