The federal government will include a Windsor-built hybrid vehicle on a list of those eligible for a rebate.
In response to criticism from the opposition, particularly the New Democrats, for not placing the Chrysler Pacifica hybrid on a list of those eligible for a $5,000 rebate for "clean" vehicles, Navdeep Bains, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, told reporters on Friday that the Pacifica hybrid will go on the list after all.
The Pacifica was not originally included on the list put out by the majority Liberal government because its manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) was higher than the $45,000 threshold proposed, with the basic Pacifica hybrid going for over $51,000. This generated an outcry from the three NDP members of parliament representing Windsor-Essex.
Bains said the incentive is vital to promoting the purchase of clean energy vehicles, especially those made by Canadian workers, with the notion of protecting the environment.
"We put forth a rebate to help middle-class Canadians purchase 'clean' vehicles at an affordable price," said Bains. "We highlighted the fact that the Pacifica is also eligible for that $5,000 rebate."
Unifor Local 444 President Dave Cassidy said they are also planning to fight to have an incentive reinstated at the provincial level. The $14,000 rebate for electric and hybrid vehicles was ended by the PC-majority government last summer as a cost-cutting measure.
"We will be riding that $14,000 incentive that was taken away on electric vehicles. We are going to be pushing toward that as well," said Cassidy.