BREAKING: Guilbeault resigns from Carney cabinet on day Ottawa signs Alberta pipeline agreement

Canadian Identity and Culture Minister and former environment minister Steven Guilbeault is resigning from Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet, a senior government source has confirmed with CTV News.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Canadian Identity and Culture Minister and former environment minister Steven Guilbeault is resigning from Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet, a senior government source has confirmed with CTV News.

The resignation comes just hours after Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith signed a sweeping memorandum of understanding committing both governments to cooperate on major infrastructure projects, “namely a potential pipeline” to tidewater.

He will reportedly remain a Liberal MP.

Guilbeault, who came to prominence as a climate activist, has not publicly spoken about the deal.

His departure follows a day of major federal announcements positioning Canada to accelerate new energy projects, including a streamlined approval pathway for a future pipeline proposal.

Guilbeault’s resignation also marks a significant political shift for the Carney government. Even after being moved out of the environment portfolio earlier this year, he continued to play a central role in Canada’s climate diplomacy.

Most recently, Guilbeault represented Carney at COP30, where Canada pledged $392 million in new funding and reiterated its international climate commitments.

Carney, speaking earlier Thursday in Calgary, framed the new agreement with Alberta as part of a broader strategy to diversify export markets and expand low-emissions energy production. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has characterized the memorandum of understanding as a step toward finally securing a pipeline to Asia — a priority long blocked by provincial and federal disputes.

The Prime Minister’s Office has not yet commented on Guilbeault’s departure or on whether it signals a deeper realignment of the government’s climate and energy approach.