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OTTAWA \u2013 Several Liberal MPs say the party remains united after Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault resigned from cabinet in response to the federal government\u2019s new pact with Alberta on a proposed pipeline.<\/p>\n
In a social media post Thursday, Guilbeault said he submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Mark Carney that afternoon \u201cwith great sadness\u201d \u2014 then spelled out his objections to the prime minister\u2019s reversal of many of the key environmental decisions made by the previous Liberal government.<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite this difficult economic context, I remain one of those for whom environmental issues must remain front and centre,\u201d he wrote. \u201cThat is why I strongly oppose the memorandum of understanding between the federal government and government of Alberta.\u201d<\/p>\n
Guilbeault said he intends to remain on as a Liberal MP but will no longer serve as Carney\u2019s Quebec lieutenant. It\u2019s not clear when a cabinet shuffle will take place.<\/p>\n
Government House leader Steven MacKinnon said Guilbeault has an \u201cimpressive track record,\u201d but he \u201crespectfully\u201d disagrees with his interpretation of the agreement signed with Alberta.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it offers a number of pathways to major environmental advances in Western Canada, in Alberta notably,\u201d MacKinnon said. \u201cThese include things like carbon capture, like a better spreading out of renewable energy across the Prairies through interconnects.\u201d<\/p>\n
Guilbeault made it clear that he was quitting cabinet over the pipeline deal and the government\u2019s pullback from major federal climate policies.<\/p>\n
\u201cFinally, over the past few months, several elements of the climate action plan I worked on as minister of the environment have been, or are about to be, dismantled,\u201d Guilbeault wrote.<\/p>\n
MacKinnon said it\u2019s \u201cnever easy to have disagreements,\u201d but it\u2019s part of belonging to a political party.<\/p>\n
\u201cCanada is in a period where we need to secure our economic future,\u201d he said. \u201cThe developments today, those that have come before this and those that will follow will be squarely focused on securing our economic future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Liberal MP Rob Oliphant told reporters Thursday that Guilbeault has been a \u201cformidable\u201d cabinet minister.<\/p>\n
Asked if his resignation hurts the prime minister\u2019s credibility on the environment file, Oliphant said Carney is \u201cmaintaining the values we\u2019ve always held while responding to a very, very difficult economic situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oliphant said he thinks \u201cevery single member\u201d of the Liberal party has a deep concern for the environment and climate change, as well as a \u201cstrong and enduring desire\u201d to have a profound Canadian economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I watch the prime minister walk into a caucus meeting or in the House of Commons, our caucus is solidly behind him,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Liberal MP Jaime Battiste said Guilbeault is a \u201cvery principled person.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile I would have liked to see him still there, he\u2019s still part of the team and the team can disagree on things as we normally do in our caucus,\u201d Battiste said. \u201cI think we\u2019re united in trying to have the best economy in the G7.\u201d<\/p>\n
Guilbeault was environment minister to former prime minister Justin Trudeau for years and served as the chief salesperson and defender of the contentious consumer carbon tax.<\/p>\n
In a social media statement posted late Thursday, Carney said Guilbeault\u2019s leadership on advancing sustainability has shaped a more hopeful future.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs Prime Minister, I have been deeply grateful for his counsel and contributions to our new government, which shares his fundamental commitment to climate ambition and climate competitiveness for Canada,\u201d Carney wrote.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a92025 The Canadian Press<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n