Canadian Legislative Updates

Canadian Federal Election Results

On May 2, 2011, Canadians headed to the polls for the 41st general election. The ballots have been counted and Canadian voters have elected a majority Conservative Government. It has been seven years since a party has had a majority of seats in the House of Commons. Under Stephen Harper’s fixed election date law, Canadians will now not go to the polls for four years. Stephen Harper is now the third Conservative Leader since Confederation to win three consecutive terms in office.

The breakdown of the seats won by party is below. Please note that election results are unofficial until confirmed by the Chief Electoral Officer. The official list of Members of Parliament is expected to be available on Monday, May 23, 2011.

Conservative: 167
NDP: 102
Liberal: 34
Bloc Québécois: 4
Green Party: 1

Total: 308

With the Conservatives now in a majority government situation, this will play a key role in helping to implement significant elements of the party’s policy platform and agenda.

As the latest polls suggested just prior to Election Day, Jack Layton’s NDP surged well ahead and into the Official Opposition position, nearly tripling their previous number of seats held.

Following disappointing party results for both Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff and Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe, and after being defeated in their own ridings, both Leaders have since stepped down.

Also making history is Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, who is now Canada’s first elected Green Member of Parliament.

Of interest to NAFA Members, the Conservative platform made reference to the party’s ongoing commitment and action to protect Canada’s environment. Among these were the establishment of regulations to raise the renewable fuel content in gasoline and to reduce tailpipe emissions, and the introduction of regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the production of electricity.

A noteworthy element of the Conservative’s agenda related to fleet, the Government will continue ongoing efforts to make new investments to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Moving forward, NAFA’s Canadian Legislative Team will continue advocacy efforts to ensure our message is heard and to keep fleet issues at the forefront of the government’s agenda. As the new Cabinet team is sworn in over the coming weeks, members will be updated on significant postings related to the industry.

For more information on the impact of the federal election, please feel free to contact Alana Fontaine in NAFA’s Canadian Legislative Office at 866-935-9969 or nafa@impactcanada.com.

Manitoba Invests In Electric Vehicles

The province of Manitoba is investing one million dollars for the development of an all-electric transit bus and charging system, with an additional $100,000 for the establishment of an electric-vehicle learning and demonstration center at Red River College.

Announced by Premier Greg Selinger in April 2011, both these initiatives are part of Manitoba's Electric Vehicle Road Map. The Premier highlighted that the province, in partnership with key industry representatives, and Red River College, is working to develop an entirely electric bus to help move people around all over North America.

Joining together with the province in the three-year project are Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, New Flyer Industries, Manitoba Hydro, and Red River College.

The electric bus development will be realized through a number of benefits from this group, including New Flyer's key experience in constructing hybrid and hydrogen fuel-cell buses, Mitsubishi's innovative lithium-ion battery technologies, Manitoba Hydro's grid-management expertise, and the keen and knowledgeable instructors and students at Red River College.

The bus development is projected to be completed within one year, with testing to take place in Manitoba over the following two years.

In order to support the development of the province's electric vehicles, a new Electric Vehicle Technology and Education Centre (EV-TEC) at Red River College was also announced. The EV-TEC will serve as a demonstration location for a range of all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles, along with their recharging equipment.

NAFA Fleet Management Association
125 Village Blvd., Suite 200
Princeton, NJ 08540

Telephone: 609.720.0882 Fax: 609.452.8004