Quebec’s Environment Minister hints at a possible delay in the 2035 ban on new gasoline vehicles due to market uncertainties
Quebec: So, it looks like Quebec might not hit its target of banning new gasoline cars by 2035. Environment Minister Benoit Charette mentioned that the uncertainty from the U.S. could slow things down.
He shared this news with reporters at the National Assembly, saying they’ll take another look at the rules in early 2026. Charette pointed out that Quebec isn’t just on its own; it’s part of a bigger North American market.
He warned that if Quebec tries to go solo, it might not have the clout to influence the market. But he’s keeping in touch with places like California and British Columbia to stay in the loop.
Earlier, the political party Québec solidaire pushed for a strict ban on gasoline cars by 2035, regardless of outside pressures. Their transportation spokesperson, Etienne Grandmont, suggested looking at other markets, like China, to help meet the deadline.
But the Parti Québécois thinks it’s too soon to cozy up to China for this. They believe Quebec should first focus on promoting electric vehicles that are already available locally.
Joël Arseneau from the PQ criticized the government for cutting the “Roulez vert” program, which used to give buyers a nice subsidy for electric cars. He’s worried that Charette might use Trump’s actions as an excuse to delay the goals he set.
Arseneau also raised concerns about cheap Chinese cars flooding the Quebec market, saying we’re not ready for that yet. Charette agreed that Chinese products can be tricky, especially when it comes to recycling and job impacts in Canada and the U.S.
He told the opposition that they need to recognize the changing landscape and adapt accordingly.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
