The Canadian Federal government, led by the newly elected Liberal party, unveiled its first budget this week and it confirmed a significant deficit for the next two years (~$29 billion) attached to important tax cuts for the middle class and families.

As for EVs, if you were hoping for a federal tax credit for electric vehicles, you will be disappointed, but the government is still throwing a few bones to EV enthusiasts.

Here’s the section in the budget about the electric vehicle investments:

“Budget 2016 proposes to provide $62.5 million over two years, starting in 2016–17, to Natural Resources Canada to support the deployment of infrastructure for alternative transportation fuels, including charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and natural gas and hydrogen refuelling stations. The Government will advance these objectives by working with provinces and territories, municipalities and the private sector. These resources will also support technology demonstration projects that advance electric vehicle charging technology.”

The investments will be spread out starting with $14 million in 2016-17 and $49 million in 2017-18.

In the 2016 budget, the government also confirmed tax supports for businesses to install electric vehicle charging stations and energy storage systems.

In a symbolic gesture, the federal government also plans to replace their limousines with electric vehicles. Are we going to see Justin Trudeau in a Tesla?

Featured Image: Prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau enters his car after taking a tour of the West Block construction site on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, November 3, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

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