Trudeau announced that Canada will ban the sale of fuel-burning new cars and light duty trucks from 2035 to reach net-zero emissions across the country by 2050.

Only zero-emissions cars and trucks can be sold from 2035, according to a statement, adding that a mixture of investments and regulations will help the industry transition toward that goal. The government also said it would set interim targets for 2025 and 2030.

Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said in the statement: "We are committed to aligning Canada's zero-emission vehicles sales targets with those of the most ambitious North American jurisdictions."

"We will work with the United States to harmonize fuel efficiency regulations and we're investing in consumer rebates, charging stations, business tax breaks and industry transition costs", Wilkinson added.

Environmental Defence Programmes director Keith Brooks said that Canada could not reach its greenhouse gas targets if emissions from cars, SUVs and pickups, which are currently growing, are not curtailed.

Brooks said only 3.5 percent of vehicles now sold in Canada are electric and that the government needs to do more to support the market for zero-emission vehicles.

Making them available to those with less money might be a start.