Steven Guilbeault resigned from Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet on Thursday, protesting a federal agreement that advances Alberta’s proposed oil pipeline to the Pacific coast. The longtime climate advocate and former environment minister cited fundamental opposition to the deal’s environmental impact.
Guilbeault announced his departure as minister of Canadian identity and culture within hours of Carney signing a memorandum of understanding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. The agreement establishes a framework for constructing a bitumen pipeline from Alberta to British Columbia’s northwest coast.
“I chose to enter politics to champion the fight against climate change and the protection of the environment,” Guilbeault wrote on social media. “That is why I strongly oppose the memorandum of understanding between the federal government and the government of Alberta.”
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The memorandum exempts Alberta from federal clean electricity regulations while supporting the province’s Pathways Alliance carbon capture initiative. Ottawa will lift its Pacific coast tanker ban if companies build the pipeline, enabling oil shipments to Asian markets.
Guilbeault faulted the agreement for excluding British Columbia’s government and coastal Indigenous communities from negotiations. His statement warned that pipeline construction through the Great Bear Rainforest region would escalate emissions and distance Canada from its reduction commitments.
After winning the election in 2019, Guilbeault held the environment portfolio for four years under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He co-founded Équiterre, Quebec’s largest environmental organization, and previously worked for Greenpeace. Police arrested him in 2001 after he scaled Toronto’s CN Tower to protest federal climate policy.
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Carney responded by crediting Guilbeault with advancing environmental policy and shaping future climate initiatives. The prime minister defended his strategy, stating that “a climate strategy based solely on regulations and prohibitions will not achieve our climate objectives.”
Alberta legislators applauded the resignation. United Conservative MLA Justin Wright called it “the second-best news of the day” during legislative proceedings. Conservative MP Dan Albas from British Columbia offered measured praise, calling the resignation “an honourable act” despite disagreeing on policy.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May characterized the resignation as proof that Carney would abandon strong climate commitments. She invited Guilbeault to join her caucus.
Guilbeault will continue serving as a Liberal member of Parliament for his Montreal riding of Laurier-Sainte-Marie. His departure will trigger a cabinet reorganization, though officials have not announced a timeline. Carney returns to Ottawa on Friday.
Energy Minister Tim Hodgson called Guilbeault a friend and valued colleague while expressing understanding for the difficult choice. “Politics is a difficult sport,” Hodgson told reporters.
Canadian Climate Institute President Rick Smith described Guilbeault as “tireless, sincere, and relentlessly optimistic.” Former Liberal immigration minister Marc Miller called the resignation personally and professionally challenging for his colleague.
The memorandum strengthens Alberta’s industrial carbon pricing to support the Pathways project. However, senior Liberal officials privately questioned whether companies would ultimately build the pipeline, noting challenges in securing private investment and gaining Indigenous support in British Columbia.
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