Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault has announced his resignation from Prime Minister Mark Carney's cabinet following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the federal government and Alberta regarding a proposed new pipeline. Guilbeault, an environmentalist and long-time climate activist, has been a prominent member of the Liberal government for the past six years.
In his resignation statement, Guilbeault expressed his strong opposition to the memorandum of understanding, emphasizing his commitment to fighting climate change and protecting the environment. He stated, "When I entered politics, it was because I had a deep conviction that I could make a difference in fighting climate change and protecting our environment." He reiterated the need for environmental issues to remain a priority, despite the difficult economic context surrounding the energy agreement.
Several factors contributed to Guilbeault's opposition to the agreement, including the lack of consultation with Indigenous nations along the west coast of British Columbia, as well as significant environmental concerns associated with the proposed pipeline. He criticized the federal government's decision to exempt Alberta from clean energy regulations in exchange for stricter industrial carbon pricing rules and the Pathways Alliance carbon capture project, deeming it “a serious mistake.”
Guilbeault's expertise in environmental policy has been well-established over the years. He served as the environment minister under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, where he became an advocate for measures such as the controversial consumer carbon tax. His efforts included introducing Canada's first emissions reduction plan, which aimed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent below 2005 levels by the year 2030.
In his resignation, Guilbeault also highlighted that numerous elements of the climate action plan he had worked on are being dismantled. Key initiatives such as the consumer carbon pricing, the Zero Emission Vehicle standard, and regulations addressing emissions in the oil and gas sector were noted as essential components of any meaningful climate strategy, according to him.
The announcement of Guilbeault's resignation drew mixed reactions from his colleagues. Conservative MP Dan Albas commended Guilbeault for his principled stand, noting that he had previously questioned Guilbeault's courage by staying in cabinet but acknowledged his integrity in resigning over his convictions. Albas stated, “While I don’t agree with him on policy, I will say resigning over principle is an honourable act.”
In contrast, Liberal MP Ali Ehsassi expressed regret at Guilbeault's decision to resign, stating his belief that the prime minister and other ministers share a deep commitment to environmental issues. Earlier in the week, other Liberal MPs had attempted to downplay reports of discontent within the caucus regarding the federal government’s agreement with Alberta, suggesting that feelings on the matter were not as severe as portrayed in the media.
Before entering politics, Guilbeault was instrumental in founding the largest environmental organization in Quebec and held significant positions, including director and campaign manager at Greenpeace. His departure from the cabinet marks a notable moment in Canadian politics, reflecting ongoing tensions between economic development and environmental protection.
