Canadian Electric School Bus Alliance

CESBA Charter

Our principles

Our mission is to seek policy commitments at the federal, provincial and local levels of government that will enable all Canadian school bus fleets to transition from diesel to electric power by 2040. To shape our strategy and actions in this end, we uphold and abide by the following 5 principles, behind which our members and partners rally.

Recognizing the significant role of the transportation sector in urgently addressing the climate crisis

Recognizing that the current and expected catastrophic effects of the global climate crisis directly impact communities across the country, our advocacy and policy directives are guided by scientific data, which indicate that transportation is one of the few remaining sectors whose greenhouse gas emissions continued to increase over the past three decades, and now accounts for a quarter of Canada’s annual emissions. Our push for electrification is rooted in a comprehensive transition to efficient, low-emission and cost-effective school transportation networks for Canada.

Placing the health of children and future generations at its core

Our work aims to ensure that the electrification of school transportation is part of a broader shift towards a truly sustainable transportation system, one that limits its impacts on the environment, but is also compatible with human health and is equitable across generations. We support actions that improve air quality and health for all workers and school transportation users, and that enhance active modes of transportation for children.

Creating inclusive low-carbon communities that secure climate justice

We acknowledge that the burden of climate change impacts, including the air pollution emitted from transportation, is inequitable between communities in Canada. We strive to take into account the interests and voices of these groups in the implementation of our activities, by seeking regional representation within our structure, and cultural and gender diversity among participants and speakers.

Acknowledging the necessity for a just and fair transition of the school bus manufacturing and operations sectors

We include the voices of a variety of organizations and bring them together through the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and resources, to ensure equitable access across the operations and manufacturing workforce to the benefits of the shift to electrified school buses. We advocate for a just and fair transition through dialogue and collaboration among all relevant stakeholders on the road to net-zero by 2050.

Promoting sustainable procurement and manufacturing practices relating to transport electrification

We recognize that in order to be sustainable, transportation electrification must have limited impacts on the environment. We encourage policy measures that prioritize source reduction, recycling and reconditioning for the conversion of diesel school buses and the adoption of sustainable procurement and development practices. We work in close collaboration with the transportation and manufacturing sectors.