Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault is resigning from Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet after Ottawa signed a memorandum of understanding with Alberta on a proposed new pipeline.
The avowed environmentalist and longtime climate activist has been a key fixture in the Liberal government for the past six years.
In a statement confirming his resignation, Guilbeault said he “strongly opposed” the memorandum of understanding between Alberta and the federal government.
“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,” read his statement.
“Despite this difficult economic context, I remain one of those for whom environmental issues must remain front and centre. That is why I strongly oppose the memorandum of understanding between the federal government and government of Alberta.”
He cited a lack of consultation with the Indigenous nations of the west coast of British Columbia and the provincial government and the major environmental impacts of a pipeline as some of his reasons for opposition.
Guilbeault avoided TV cameras and questions from reporters for several days as news emerged of progress on an agreement between the federal government and Alberta on the energy file.
He added that the decision to exempt Alberta from the clean energy regulations “in exchange for stricter industrial carbon pricing rules” and the Pathways Alliance carbon capture project “is, in my view, a serious mistake.”
Guilbeault was environment minister to former prime minister Justin Trudeau for years, and served as the chief salesperson and defender of the contentious consumer carbon tax.
He introduced Canada’s first emissions reduction plan — effectively a road map for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.
Guilbeault added in his statement that several elements of the action plan he worked on have been or are about to be dismantled, including the consumer carbon pricing, the Zero Emission Vehicle standard and the oil and gas sector emissions.
“In my view, these measures remain essential to our climate action plan.”
In a social media post Thursday, Conservative MP Dan Albas praised Guilbeault for taking a stand.
“Yesterday, I accused Steven Guilbeault of not having the courage of his convictions by not resigning from cabinet. I was wrong. He does,” Albas wrote.
“While I don’t agree with him on policy, I will say resigning over principle is an honourable act.”
Liberal MP Ali Ehsassi called Guilbeault an energetic and passionate colleague after learning the news late Thursday afternoon.
He said the resignation is “very regrettable.”
“I know that this prime minister takes the environment very seriously, as does the responsible minister,” Ehsassi said.
Liberal MPs downplayed for reporters earlier this week reports of discontent within caucus over Ottawa’s agreement with Alberta.
Prior to his political career, Guilbeault cofounded the largest environmental organization in Quebec and also served as director and campaign manager for Greenpeace.
