Up to 49,000 EVs a year from China will be allowed into Canada, initially, which Carney says is less than three per cent of the overall car market. That will increase to approximately 70,000 over five years.

By slashing most tariffs on Chinese-built cars, a new influx of affordable vehicles could populate the region.

Just 25 years ago, China produced fewer cars annually than Canada — about two million per year compared to Canada’s nearly three million vehicles. Last year, China exported more than five million automobiles and in market after market they are rising in popularity and becoming dominant.