The fines amount to $196.5 million.
The money will go to the government’s new Climate Action and Awareness Fund
Volkswagen’s famous and often referred emissions scandal is almost exactly five years old. The “smoke” following the aptly named #dieselgate disaster is settling and, so far, has cost Volkswagen’s well over $30 billion worldwide.
The $196.5 million fine in Canada, by far the largest environmental penalty in the country’s history, was approved by a judge this past January after VW pleaded guilty to dozens of diesel emissions violation. The money will be put to good use as it will serve to support the government’s new Climate Action and Awareness Fund.
Reuters reports: “The new Climate Action and Awareness Fund will create jobs for Canadians in science and technology, academia, and at the grassroots community level,” Johnathan Wilkinson, minister of environment and climate change, said in a statement.
History will look back on VW’s #dieselgate as an important catalyst in the move towards electrifying mobility for all globally.