I don't keep tabs on what Canada is doing, but the U.S. is pushing for cleaner exhaust emission standards, not a wipe out of gasoline powered vehicles. It's a must do. Whatever platform we end up with, and for the near future, hybrids look like a contender, we have to lower the pollutants coming from transportation exhaust.
It's been proven many times that even taking into account battery production, recycling and the electricity used in charging, electric vehicles, over the life of the vehicle are about 60% cleaner. They aren't ready yet, the main issues being range and charging time, but the field is rapidly advancing. Our government knows to be patient, that EV technology is in a crazy growing stage, but is at least looking in the right direction.