OTTAWA — Former environment minister Steven Guilbeault is stepping down from cabinet, but staying on as a Liberal MP, in protest of
his government’s memorandum of understanding with Alberta
to build a new oil pipeline towards the West Coast.
Earlier on Thursday, a source close to Guilbeault said he would be reflecting on his political future.
He announced his decision
in a statement on social media
shortly before 5 p.m.
“This afternoon, it is with great sadness that I submitted my resignation to the Prime Minister as Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, Minister of Nature and Parks Canada, as well as his Lieutenant in Quebec,” he wrote.
Ministers are bound by government decisions. By stepping down, he can speak his mind.
Guilbeault said he understands that Canada’s relationship with the United States has shifted, leading to profound changes in the global order and the economy.
“Despite this difficult economic context, I remain one of those for whom environmental issues must remain front and center,” he wrote. “That is why I strongly oppose the Memorandum of understanding between the federal government and the government of Alberta.”
Guilbeault criticized the fact that there was “no consultation” with coastal First Nations in British Columbia, nor with the provincial government which opposes this prospective pipeline to the West Coast. He also said it would have “major environmental impacts” and move Canada further away from its greenhouse gas emission targets.
He also criticized the idea of “adjusting” the tanker ban, which he said would significantly increase the risk of oil spills in the delicate ecosystem in the region.
He also slammed the government for exempting Alberta from the clean electricity regulations — calling it a “serious mistake.”
Guilbeault had a “long” and “candid” conversation with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday, according to the source who could not disclose the contents of the conversation. But he was not seen in the House of Commons on Thursday and some of his Quebec Liberal colleagues would not say if they expected him to still be part of the caucus by the end of the day. Carney did not directly answer when asked by a reporter in Calgary after signing the deal whether he would be able to keep Guilbeault in his cabinet.
Guilbeault endorsed Carney during the Liberal leadership race in January for his work in the green energy transition and the role of the financial sector in fighting climate change. Guilbeault also stood by Carney’s side when he axed the consumer carbon tax in his first act as prime minister, despite being a staunch defender of the tax under Justin Trudeau.
After the spring election, when Carney opened the door to more pipeline construction, Guilbeault opined that
Canada should instead optimize the use of its existing pipelines
. He claimed that less than half of the Trans Mountain pipeline’s capacity is being used.
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.
You can find my full statement below. pic.twitter.com/6s7HhdXaLO— Steven Guilbeault (@s_guilbeault) November 27, 2025
Guilbeault said he deplored the fact that several elements of Canada’s climate action plan he worked on as minister of the environment between 2021 and 2025 “have been, or are about to be, dismantled” such as the consumer carbon pricing, the zero emission vehicle standard and the clean electricity regulations.
“In my view, these measures remain essential to our climate action plan.”
Guilbeault’s climate activism started at a young age. His
biography on the government’s website
notes that, at the age of five, he climbed a tree to protect it from real estate developers. In 2001, he was famously arrested for scaling the CN Tower in Toronto to unfurl a giant sign accusing Canada and U.S. President George W. Bush of being “climate killers.”
He also co-founded Équiterre, the largest environmental organization in Quebec, and served as its senior director from 2008 to 2018. He ultimately went on to run for Trudeau’s team in the 2019 election and has been the Montreal MP of Laurier—Ste-Marie ever since.
In his statement, Guilbeault said he will continue to serve his constituents “with dedication.” He also thanked Carney for naming him in his cabinet.
“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.”
Whether in civil society or in Cabinet, Steven Guilbeault’s leadership to advance sustainability has consistently shaped a more hopeful horizon for future generations.
As Prime Minister, I have been deeply grateful for his counsel and contributions to our new government, which…— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) November 27, 2025
Carney released his own statement Thursday evening, saying he has been “deeply grateful” to Guilbeault’s “counsel and contributions to our new government,” which, he added, “shares his fundamental commitment to climate ambition and climate competitiveness for Canada.”
“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,” Carney wrote on X.
He went on to outline how his government was committed to building a “sustainable economy” through making investments and working in a model of “cooperative federalism”, including with Indigenous Peoples.
“A climate strategy based solely on regulations and prohibitions will not achieve our climate objectives not least because it will fail to generate the alignment of interests required for this historic undertaking.”
“Through its nation building projects, its Climate Competitiveness Strategy, and upcoming nature and electricity strategies, the government will catalyze sustainable investments that will create jobs, improve affordability, build Canada’s independence, and secure sustainable prosperity for future generations.”
National Post
calevesque@postmedia.com
Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our newsletters here.