Liberal Member of Parliament Steven Guilbeault has resigned from his cabinet position due to the federal government’s recent agreement with Alberta regarding a new bitumen pipeline to the British Columbia coast. Guilbeault, who emphasized his commitment to environmental issues, expressed his opposition to the memorandum of understanding signed between the federal government and Alberta.
Guilbeault, who held various ministerial roles, including official languages minister and minister of Canadian identity and culture, stated that he entered politics to combat climate change and protect the environment. Despite resigning from his cabinet position, Guilbeault confirmed that he would continue to serve as a Liberal MP.
The agreement signed by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith outlines the construction of a pipeline to transport a million barrels of oil daily from Alberta to a Pacific coast export terminal. While Carney described the deal as a display of cooperative federalism, Guilbeault raised environmental concerns and criticized the agreement.
The agreement includes provisions to increase the industrial carbon price in Alberta, aiming to raise it from $95 a tonne to a minimum of $130 a tonne. Both the federal government and Alberta have committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 despite concerns about the impact of the agreement on conventional energy production.
Following Guilbeault’s resignation, various officials, including Carney and Energy Minister Tim Hodgson, expressed appreciation for Guilbeault’s contributions and dedication to environmental sustainability. Guilbeault, known for his environmental activism before entering politics, co-founded an environmental organization and held positions in green initiatives.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May called on Guilbeault to join her party following his resignation, emphasizing the need for more political figures to advocate for climate action. Despite Guilbeault’s departure from the cabinet, discussions on climate policies and environmental commitments in Canadian politics continue among various stakeholders.