Guilbeault Quits Carney’s Cabinet Over Alberta Energy Deal

Liberal MP Steven Guilbeault has quit cabinet over the Canadian federal government’s signing of the memorandum of understanding with Alberta, which outlines a joint path forward for a new bitumen pipeline to the British Columbia coast, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. (CBC) reported.

Guilbeault will stay on as a Liberal MP. (Photo: Steven Guilbeault X)

“I chose to enter politics to champion the fight against climate change and the protection of the environment,” Guilbeault wrote in a lengthy statement on social media.

The Quebec MP had been serving as official languages minister, minister of Canadian identity and culture, and Prime Minister Mark Carney's Quebec lieutenant.

Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith signed the agreement laying out how Ottawa will help facilitate construction of a pipeline that will carry one million barrels of oil per day from Alberta's oil patch to an export terminal on the Pacific coast, where the product will be shipped mostly to Asian markets.

“I remain one of those for whom environmental issues must remain front and center. That’s why I strongly oppose the memorandum of understanding between the federal government and the government of Alberta,” Guilbeault said.

He will stay on as a Liberal MP, the statement added. Guilbeault also thanked Carney for the opportunity to sit in cabinet.

Carney described the deal as “an example of co-operative federalism; we’re agreeing in partnership and in a spirit of trust,” after signing the document and meeting with unionized skilled trade workers in Calgary.