Federal election 2025: What Canada’s major political party platforms mean for the auto care sector

As Canada heads toward federal election day, the country’s two major political parties have laid out competing visions for the road ahead as they vie for the opportunity to form government. Here is what you need to know from the newly released Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) “Change” platform and the Liberals (LPC) “Canada Strong” platform—with a spotlight on what directly affects your business, your workforce, and the future of the auto care sector. 

Championing the auto care sector, but with different gears 

Both the CPC and LPC recognize the importance of Canada’s auto sector. Their strategies, however, differ in fundamental ways. 

The CPC promises to protect consumer choice by scrapping the proposed $20,000 federal tax on gas-powered vehicles. They want to cut the GST on Canadian-made vehicles—a move aimed at bolstering local manufacturing in the face of tariffs from the United States of America. They are also pledging a “Keep Canadians Working Fund” to shield workers affected by these trade policies. 

On the other side, the LPC are focused on domestic investment and manufacturing self-reliance, promising a $2 billion Strategic Response Fund to boost the auto care sector’s competitiveness and attract investment. Their plan includes building an “All-in-Canada” parts network to strengthen supply chains and reduce cross-border production dependencies. 

What this means for you: If your business builds, repairs, or supplies vehicles, expect possible shifts in the regulatory and trade environment. 

Skilled trades: A national priority 

The LPC aims to futureproof the workforce by ensuring federally funded training programs better aligned with the labour market and meet the needs of employers today and in the future. Their plan includes: 

• A new $8,000 Apprenticeship Grant, convertible to an interest-free loan if needed. 

• Doubling funding for the Union Training and Innovation Program (from $25 million to $50 million). 

• $20 million for trade college infrastructure, plus expanded operating funding. 

• Support for employer apprenticeships through the Apprenticeship Service program, with bonus funding for women and underrepresented groups. 

• They are also rolling out a $15,000 mid-career up-skilling benefit for workers in sectors like auto manufacturing. 

Additionally, the LPC aims to ensure that Canadian workers impacted by tariffs have the necessary tools to pursue good-paying jobs and advance their careers in priority sectors, and will design these supports in partnership with labour, employers, and industry. 

The CPC has a similar approach to this, showing support for apprenticeship grants and funding for training halls, plus a proposed “Trades Toolkit” for high school students. 

What this means for you: These policies have the potential to reduce hiring friction, make apprenticeships more accessible, and help bridge the skills gap we see across Canada’s auto care sector. If you train or employ tradespeople, there may be new funding opportunities ahead. 

Electric vehicles: Charging ahead, but with caveats 

The road to electrification is at the top of both parties’ minds, but they diverge when it comes down to the pace and players. 

The LPC are doubling down on electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, promising thousands of new charging stations by 2027 and incentives for Canadian-built EVs. Their plan is rooted in Canada’s six major clean energy and EV tax credits—aimed at reshaping the supply chain from the ground up. 

The CPC, meanwhile, are taking a “technology, not taxes” approach. They want to end rebates for made-in-China EVs, preserve consumer choice by avoiding punitive taxes on gas-powered cars, and maintain clean incentives for the Canadian supply chain. 

What this means for you: Whether you are preparing your business for more EVs or evaluating inventory strategy, policy shifts will shape customer demand and vehicle lifecycles. Supporting Canadian-made EVs—and the businesses that maintain them—remains a shared goal among both parties. 

Fighting auto theft: A rising priority 

The CPC platform takes a firm stance on rising vehicle crime with a proposed crackdown on auto theft, extortion, and fraud. They are calling for minimum penalties, no house arrest, and new offences targeting organized theft rings. 

While not addressed in the LPC platform, this issue still hits home. Auto theft is not just a consumer problem, but also a cost driver and operational risk for auto businesses. 

What this means for you: Enhanced criminal penalties could deter theft and reduce insurance rates, but prevention measures—from GPS tracking to vehicle etching—remain critical at the shop level. 

More competition, less monopolies 

The CPC is calling for a sweeping review of federally regulated oligopolies—aimed at lowering consumer prices through more competition. This could impact areas like logistics, insurance, and parts distribution, which are essential to the auto care sector. 

The LPC want to make it easy for Canadians to buy Canadian. By working with retailers, manufacturers, and maximizing Canada’s supply chain, they hope this will increase transparency in product labelling to identify what is—and is not—a Canadian product. 

What this means for you: If you are a Canadian manufacturer or supplier, stronger “Buy Canadian” initiatives could give you a leg up—and more competition in adjacent industries could improve your cost structure. 

The road ahead 

For Canada’s auto care sector, the stakes in this election are high. Whether you run an independent shop or a multi-location supply chain, federal policy decisions shape everything from who you can hire to what cars roll into your bays. 

At AIA Canada, we are tracking every twist in the road—and we are here to help you advocate for the industry. Visit AutoCareVotes.ca to connect to your local Member of Parliament (MP) candidate to make your voice heard.