Who we are
Who we are
Accelerate is Canada’s industrial alliance of key actors from mining, batteries, fuel cells, R&D, the public sector, Indigenous interests, labour, vehicle manufacturing and infrastructure. Together, we are building Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle supply chain and industry to ensure it is a central part of Canada’s future wealth and prosperity.
Accelerating Tomorrow
Our Strategic Goal (2026-2028)
Purpose of this plan
In our first three years, Accelerate ZEV (Accelerate)’s activities were guided by a strategy developed when Canada was only just beginning to realize its opportunities in the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) supply chain. Now, as the global and North American ZEV markets evolve, so too has Canada’s opportunity to build a robust industry that represents an important and growing part of a sustainable national economy.
Accelerate, as Canada’s national Zero Emission Vehicle supply chain alliance, has now become a part of our country’s ZEV industrial ecosystem. This three-year strategic plan builds on our founding strategic objectives and the lessons we have learned to ensure we are positioned to assist Canada in capturing its opportunities in the rapidly changing landscape of zero emission mobility.
Accelerate‘s Vision
Canada’s zero-emission vehicle industry and supply chain will be integral to our country’s sustainable, resilient, and innovative national economy.
Accelerate's Mission
Accelerate ZEV (Accelerate) organizes key players from across Canada’s ZEV ecosystem to build strategic alignment and to develop credible, compelling pathways that lead to “More Canada” in zero emission mobility, creating a thriving and durable domestic industry.
To position Canada as an indispensable contributor to the North American zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) industry by strengthening domestic supply chains, embedding Canadian resources and technologies in key stages of the ZEV value chain, and aligning public and private investments and policies around a bold, future-focused industrial vision grounded in Canada’s comparative advantages.
Organizational Values
Non-profiting
As a neutral third-party, Accelerate does not take a financial interest in the outcome of any commercial project in Canada’s ZEV ecosystem.
Collaborative
We actively drive strategic partnerships with industry, government, civil society, and labor to maximize collective impact.
Non-partisan
We are committed to working with all political actors to build a strong and competitive zero emission vehicle industry for Canada.
Evidence-based
We are committed to working with all political actors to build a strong and competitive zero emission vehicle industry for Canada.
Strategic Objectives
2026-2028
BUILD
Create a Vision and Credible Pathways in Support of More Canadian Content in the ZEV Supply Chain
Objective:
Develop quantitative and qualitative evidence that builds the business case for supportive industrial strategy and public and private investments, that position Canadian inputs — critical minerals, components, IP, labour, manufacturing, etc. — as essential to the future of the North American ZEV sector.
Why this matters:
The trajectory of the global vehicle industry is decidedly towards electrification. Developing comprehensive evidence that positions Canada as essential to this evolving sector in North America empowers us to act with credibility as we seek to align our domestic ZEV ecosystem and advance policies that lead to greater commercial success for ZEV firms in Canada.
Key Outcomes:
- Comprehensive analysis of Canada’s ZEV supply chain market opportunities with quantified economic impact projections (GDP contribution, investment potential, etc.)
- Comprehensive analysis of Canada’s current and potential comparative advantages in the ZEV supply chain
- Clear definition of “Canadian content” benchmarks across ZEV segments
- Integration of comparative advantage analysis with market opportunities and economic impact modelling
- Integration of comparative advantage analysis with market opportunities and economic impact modelling
- A strong business case for where Canada can compete globally along ZEV supply chains and the policies and investments needed to help us get there
ALIGN
Unite Strategic Partners Around the Vision
Objective:
Align key players from governments, industry, Indigenous communities, civil society, and labor on a coordinated vision and strategy that enables Canada to be an indispensable contributor to the North American zero-emission vehicle industry and positions our supply chain as integral to our country’s sustainable, resilient, and innovative national economy.
Why this matters:
Accelerate can develop evidence to support Canada’s role in the ZEV supply chain and its potential positive impact on our future economy, but achieving the scale of change required will depend on coordinated action across multiple stakeholders, each of whom contributes their unique strengths.
Key Outcomes:
- Cross-sectoral agreement on Canada’s ZEV supply chain priorities
- Formal commitments from key organizations to support Canadian Content pathways
- Canadian ZEV supply chain interests embedded in national and continental decision-making forums
DEPLOY
Create the Conditions for Canadian ZEV Supply Chain Companies to Grow
Objective:
Support the growth and commercial development of Canadian supply chain companies through supportive industrial policy frameworks, increased visibility and the development of effective business and industry-relevant tools.
Why this matters:
Ultimately, Canada’s success in the zero-emission vehicle industry will be measured through investment into our domestic industry and by the number of firms thriving in this ecosystem.
Key Outcomes:
- National and provincial ZEV industrial policy frameworks informed by our work and that support a viable future for critical elements of the sector’s supply chain
- Enhanced commercial activity within Canada’s supply chain
- Increased visibility for and coordination between Canadian ZEV companies
Leadership
Board Of Directors
Dr. Chris Burns
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Managing Team
Andrew McKinnon
Andrew McKinnon is the Interim CEO at Accelerate. Working alongside the President and CEO, Andrew will work to develop and advance the Alliance’s policy and thought leadership initiatives, develop new relationships with key stakeholders, and position Accelerate to advance Canada’s ZEV industry.
Andrew previously worked as the Director of Provincial Affairs with the Global Automakers of Canada, supporting the 15-member trade association with expertise in EV battery policy, end-of-life vehicle and product stewardship, and ZEV policy.
Andrew holds a Master of Arts in International Studies from Simon Fraser University and has previously worked for the Toronto Environmental Alliance and served in the Royal Canadian Navy.
Heather McInnes
Heather McInnes is the Operations Director at the Accelerate Alliance. Heather is responsible for the implementation and execution of administrative and operational activities that support Accelerate’s initiatives. Before joining accelerate in May of 2022, Heather worked in pension and benefits administration as well as pension investment monitoring. Outside of her role at accelerate Heather is an engaged healthcare advocate and sits on various provincial advisory committees in the areas of patient safety and autism services. Heather is located in Dartmouth NS.
William El Khoury
William has a deep understanding of building membership and connection within a not-for-profit environment, including as the former Head of Operations and Community Experience at Impact Hub Ottawa. William also has a degree in Chemical Engineering and is fluently trilingual.
As Membership Engagement Lead, William is responsible for developing and executing membership outreach tactics, leading membership communications and identifying and executing digital and in-person membership learning and networking opportunities.
Carrie Croft
Carrie Croft is a Senior Director at Temple Scott Associates (TSA) and a Strategic Communications Advisor for Accelerate.
Carrie provides strategic communications and government relations counsel. She specializes in developing and executing external communication strategies designed to raise visibility, influence target audiences and shape the public environment.
Funding Partners
Accelerate is not an industry group in the classic sense, we are a strategic catalyst for Canada’s zero-emission vehicle supply chain. Our initiatives are driven by what is necessary to achieve our mandate ensuring tangible growth and long-term change.
Our structure is designed to align our partners’ interests with matching initiatives within our scope of activities.
