Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed gratitude for Steven Guilbeault's contributions to government, as the Liberal MP and former environment minister prepares to resign from caucus on Wednesday. Guilbeault has been a vocal critic of the government's recent environmental policy shifts.
Guilbeault's Resignation Announced
Guilbeault is set to resign after the House of Commons rises, with guests invited to attend in the gallery. A source confirmed that Guilbeault, first elected in 2019 and serving as environment minister under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, is stepping down due to Carney's deal with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to facilitate a new oil pipeline, along with the government's broader environmental approach.
Background on the Pipeline Deal
Guilbeault quit Carney's cabinet as minister responsible for Canadian heritage on the day the Alberta deal was signed last November. Since then, he has frequently criticized the government for rolling back environmental policies implemented under Trudeau, including canceling the consumer carbon tax and scrapping the electric vehicle mandate.
Speaking at a defense industrial conference in Ottawa, Carney noted in French that Guilbeault's departure from the Liberal caucus had been anticipated, and that they had candid discussions on various issues. Carney thanked Guilbeault for his tenure as a Liberal MP, noting their prior collaboration when Carney served as a special advisor to the United Nations on climate change and finance.
“It’s for him to make decisions about his career,” Carney said. “All aspects of all our careers, even journalists, even prime ministers, get to a point where things change and people make decisions and I very much respect that.” Carney offered Guilbeault his best wishes.
More details are expected to follow.
