Canadians in federal focus groups question the billions budgeted in subsidies for the electric auto industry. Cabinet proposes that by 2035 all new car buyers must purchase a zero emission vehicle.

Researchers in a report to the Privy Council said even when told that subsidies would “create thousands of new jobs,” Canadians remained skeptical. While “several reacted positively,” “a number expressed potential concerns,” said the report Continuous Qualitative Data Collection Of Canadians’ Views.

“Among these participants it was thought that producing electric vehicles could be quite costly and that many of these vehicles were currently unaffordable for lower and middle income Canadians,” wrote researchers. “Some were also of the impression there were environmental concerns associated with mining the raw materials requ