Guilbeault quits Carney’s cabinet over energy deal with Alberta

progressive MP Steven Guilbeault has quit locker o'er the union soldier regime signing Thursday’s memorandum of understanding with Alberta, which jointly agrees on a path forward for a new bitumen pipeline to the B.C. Coast.

“I chose to enter politics to champion the fight against climate change and the protection of the environment,” Guilbeault wrote in a lengthy statement on social media.

The Quebec MP had been serving as official languages minister, the minister of Canadian identity and culture — and Prime Minister Mark Carney's Quebec lieutenant.

Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith signed the agreement earlier Thursday that lays out how Ottawa will facilitate the construction of a pipeline that will carry a million barrels of oil a day from Alberta's oil patch to an export terminal on the Pacific coast, where that product will be shipped mostly to Asian markets.

“I remain one of those for whom environmental issues must remain front and center. That’s why I strongly oppose the memorandum of understanding between the federal government and the government of Alberta,” Guilbeault said. 

Guilbeault will stay on as a Liberal MP, the statement said. He also thanked Carney for the opportunity to sit in cabinet.

This afternoon, I informed the Prime Minister of my decision to resign as Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, Minister responsible for Official Languages, Minister of Nature and Parks Canada, as well as his Lieutenant in Quebec. <br><br>You can find my full statement below. <a href="https://t.co/6s7HhdXaLO">pic.twitter.com/6s7HhdXaLO</a>

Carney called Thursday’s deal "an example of co-operative federalism; we’re agreeing in partnership and in a spirit of trust,” after signing the document and meeting with unionized skilled trade workers in Calgary.

Guilbeault said in his statement that he shares Carney’s concerns about ensuring “all regions feel they have a voice,” especially in the context of a shifting economic relationship with the U.S. But he listed several environmental concerns with Thursday’s agreement.

As part of the agreement, Ottawa will suspend the proposed federal oil and gas emissions cap and remove Alberta's requirements under the Clean Electricity Regulations — both of which were introduced while Guilbeault was environment minister.

Carney had previously walked back other Trudeau-era environment policies, most notably suspending the consumer carbon tax on his first day as prime minister.

Liberal MPs react to news of Steven Guilbeault’s cabinet departure

Guilbeault referenced several of these policies in his statement on Thursday.

“Over the past few months, several elements of the climate action plan I worked on as minister of the environment have been, or are about to be, dismantled... In my view, these measure remain essential to our climate action plan,” he wrote.

“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. My commitment to leaving a better world for the future of our children and our planet remains unchanged.”

Ottawa and Alberta committed to increasing the industrial carbon price in the province — moving it from $95 a tonne now to a minimum of $130 a tonne as part of Thursday’s deal. The federal government had previously demanded that price rise to $170 a tonne by 2030. 

Both sides say they are committed to net-zero by 2050, even though the MOU has the potential to turbocharge conventional energy production.

During a news conference before Guilbeault’s resignation, Carney was asked if Alberta’s agreement to increase the industrial carbon price would be enough to keep the Quebec MP in cabinet.

“It’s enough for the government of Canada. I’m the prime minister, my role is to make decisions in the interest of Alberta and Canada,” Carney said.

Carney later posted a statement on X thanking Guilbeault for his “counsel and consultations” in cabinet.

“Steven Guilbeault’s leadership to advance sustainability has consistently shaped a more hopeful horizon for future generations,” he wrote.

“While we may have differing views at times on how exactly we make essential progress, I am glad Steven will continue to offer his important perspectives as a Member of Parliament in our Liberal caucus.”

Smith and Guilbeault had publicly butted heads on a number of policies in the past. 

What’s next after Carney, Smith’s memorandum of understanding?

Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery said in the province’s legislature that Thursday was “full of incredibly good news” when he announced Guilbeault had resigned. Amery’s statement was met with applause from the United Conservative Party benches.

“He’s been a very good cabinet minister and [has] done amazingly good things for Canada,” Hodgson told host David Cochrane.

“Politics is a difficult sport,” he said, adding that he’s glad Guilbeault is staying in the government caucus.

The Quebec MP was first elected in 2019 and previously held a few cabinet positions under former prime minister Justin Trudeau, including the environment and climate change portfolio.

Before entering electoral politics in 2019, Guilbeault co-founded Équiterre, a Quebec-based environmental organization, and was the director of a provincial chapter of Greenpeace. He spoke out against pipeline projects, including the Trans Mountain expansion.

Guilbeault also took part in stunts to draw attention to environmental causes.

In 2001, Guilbeault was arrested after scaling Toronto's CN Tower to raise awareness about climate change. In 2002, he was involved in a Greenpeace stunt that saw activists climb onto the roof of then Alberta premier Ralph Klein's house to install solar panels.

May calls on Steven Guilbeault to join Green Party

Green Leader Elizabeth May called on Guilbeault to join her caucus.

May voted to support the Liberal budget earlier this month after Carney confirmed to her in the House of Commons that the government is committed to meeting its Paris Agreement targets.

“We can get better with more Liberal MPs standing up for climate, joining us, and creating a new force in the Canadian political scene,” May said Thursday.

Senior writer

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