While Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that another key environmental policy enacted by Justin Trudeau would be put on hold, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly declined to say whether the federal government would still adhere to its 2030 and 2035 emissions reduction targets.

Carney announced Friday that her government would stop setting a 2026 electric vehicle target, launch a full review of the program and also revise federal clean fuel regulations.

The move comes after Carney eliminated a consumer carbon price in his first act as prime minister in March.

“We will soon release our climate competitiveness strategy to position Canada as a leader in decarbonization,” he said in a speech after the decision was announced. “Canada’s new government will work to ensure that businesses and workers have the tools they need to make this transition.”

In an interview with CTV’s Ministerial Questions, which airs Sunday, host Vasi Kaplos asked Jolly several times whether the Carney government plans to maintain the Trudeau-era emissions reduction targets.

Jolly stressed that the federal government is “clearly” committed to the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, but did not provide a clear answer on the 2030 and 2035 targets.

“What I can say is that you’ve seen the employment numbers,” he said. “That’s the reality that Canadians are living with today.”

“We need to make sure that we stand with our country’s auto industry while still having ambitious climate goals. That’s why we’re launching a 60-day consultation period,” Jolly added.

Statistics Canada reported this week that the unemployment rate has hit its highest level since May 2016 (excluding the pandemic), a rise that has been driven by U.S. tariffs on the Canadian economy.

Joly is the second cabinet minister to not explicitly support Trudeau’s climate goals. Last month, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson dodged the issue on the Kaplos program.

“Our goal as Canadians is to produce the best possible product for the global market; a low-cost, low-carbon product, and that’s what we’re doing,” Hodgson said.

Joly stressed that the decision to revise the electric vehicle target is not a capitulation to opponents of the policy — such as Conservative leader Pierre Pallieu — but a response to the U.S. tariffs.

When asked if the delay in stopping the 2026 EV target and reviewing the entire program was to avoid giving the Conservatives a leg up, Joly replied, “I think you’re overcomplicating it.”

“Forget the Conservative media that’s making everything about EVs,” he said. “No, it’s about tariffs. The issue is that the United States has put tariffs on our auto industry and that’s affecting jobs.”

“Canada is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050,” a spokesperson for Environment Minister Julie Dobrosin wrote in an email to CTV.

“Canada has made significant progress in implementing key policies to flatten the emissions curve since 2015. Many sectors of the economy have been able to make real, measurable reductions in their emissions,” added Kian Nembhard.

“Taking into account the changing global and economic circumstances, the federal government will provide a new update to the emissions reduction plan to move us toward our 2030 and 2035 goals,” he continued.

Industry Minister Melanie Joly’s full interview will air on CTV at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday.

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