February, 2026 

On February 5, the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) formally applauded the federal government's announced Auto Strategy, including the decision to end the federal electric vehicle mandate. CADA President and CEO Tim Reuss stated, “Today's announcement by Prime Minister Carney is a strong commitment by the government to the automotive industry and demonstrates their ability and willingness to respond to market realities and consumer demand.”

The expanded and adjusted support measures aimed at maintaining Canada’s vital automotive manufacturing sector are essential as we enter the critical phase of the CUSMA renegotiation with the United States. Dealers across Canada particularly applaud the government for ending the EV mandate and choosing a better path forward for EV adoption that is more in line with diverse technology, charging infrastructure and overall consumer demand.

Reuss further noted that the 3,500 dealer members across Canada are in no way turning away from EV adoption: “Dealers have invested heavily in EV infrastructure to sell and service EVs in Canada. Consumer choice in terms of vehicle options for low emission choices has expanded dramatically in Canada, and now manufacturers have the ability to deliver emissions solutions which are technologically neutral”.

CADA also praised the reintroduction of EV purchase incentives. Today's announcement highlights that consumers still need incentives in order to adopt electric vehicle technology. The affordability gap for electric vehicles on initial purchase continues to be a pinch point, and the government's approach to incentivizing consumers as opposed to limiting the market is the right step to ensure consumer affordability.

CADA also highlighted the important elements of the automotive strategy that will help ensure a reliable supply chain for automobiles in Canada: “During this trade rupture, it is critical that we have a strategy that is bold and eliminates policies that were made before current market and technology realities. CADA continues to work on both sides of the border to highlight that auto tariffs between Canada and the US are bad for the economies of both countries, bad for dealers and, most importantly, bad for the millions of consumers they serve” concluded Reuss.

Gain the data that drives decisions.

Participate in the 2026 CADA National Workforce Study and gain access to the most comprehensive dealer-specific workforce metrics in Canada:

Enroll and participate online!

MDA Chair Greg Stahl and MDA President Gerald Wood presented Mike Lowe of Northgate Chevrolet - Edmonton with his Dealer of Excellence Award. 

The MDA awards the Dealer of Excellence annually to one metro dealer from Calgary or Edmonton and one non-metro dealer from the rest of the province. The award criteria are business acumen, community involvement and association/industry involvement. 

Since 2007, the MDA Education Foundation has awarded $807,000 in scholarships.

Do you know someone who would excel in a career at a motor dealership but may not have the funds for post-secondary education? MDA Education Foundation Scholarships can help!

Our purpose is to encourage Albertans to pursue careers at our MDA member dealerships. We raise funds to provide scholarships that help individuals defray the cost of post-secondary education and recognize their achievements.

Eligible Programs Include:

* at any apprenticeship-accredited education institution in Alberta

The deadline to apply is February 27, 2026

AMVIC 2025 Q3 Inspection Report:

New sales include licensees who market and sell new vehicles. For the purpose of this report, the statistics for new sales represent licensees who primarily sell new vehicles directly from the manufacturer, but may also engage in other business activities such as used vehicle sales, wholesale, and service and repair.

CADA Summit
Toronto, ON
February 11, 2026

Canadian International AutoShow
Toronto, ON
February 13-22, 2026

An update on provincial sales around Canada.

The provincial sales numbers for December 2025 have been posted at the link below.

Next year's CADA Summit will take place Wednesday February 11, 2026 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on the eve of the opening of the Canadian International AutoShow.

Attendees can expect to see the return of some regular features like Quick Take interviews, insights and analysis from a leading auto industry expert, a CADA Laureate panel, an international roundtable, a political panel and keynote speakers including one of the world's top futurists Jim Carroll.

As we continue into 2026, it's a perfect opportunity to revisit and revise your emergency contact list to ensure it is up to date. Being aware of who to contact in a crisis or emergency can significantly enhance your ability to navigate challenging circumstances and restore operations for your business as quickly as possible.

That’s why maintaining a current up to date emergency contact list should be a crucial component of your business continuity and risk management strategy. To help you get started, Federated Insurance has created a guide on what to include and a template you can download, print, and fill for your own records.

As a 100% Canadian-owned insurer, Federated Insurance is here to support you and your business. To learn more, visit www.federated.ca or if you’re a Federated customer, you can contact your Commercial Insurance Specialist with any questions.

Get Your Team Ready to Win in 2026

Enhance your team’s development with the MDA Pick Six Pack! You’ll get a fully transferable 6-pack of training registrations that any staff member can use for any Fixed Ops Accelerator or unWorkshop training session throughout the year.

Mix and match sessions, send different team members, and build the perfect training lineup for your dealership. It’s flexible, cost-effective, and designed to help your team learn and grow throughout the year.

Please join us in welcoming the following new members:

Phone: (780) 488-4148
Address: 10212 178 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5S 1H3

Phone:  (780) 488-9330
Address: 10212 178 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5S 1H3

CADA 360 completes your dealership with a comprehensive suite of insurance programs and tailored business solutions. Designed for dealers and built to adapt, CADA 360 meets your challenges today and evolves with you for tomorrow.

Choosing CADA 360 strengthens your business and supports advocacy for Canadian dealers.

Visit cada.ca/cada360 to learn more.

We’re excited to share our brand-new MDA video!

As an MDA member, you’re part of a powerful network of dealers shaping the future of Alberta’s automotive industry. From strong advocacy and government representation to exclusive programs, professional development, scholarships, and recognition through our Dealer of Excellence awards, your membership is built to support you, your team, and your success.

Take a moment to watch our short video!