Montreal-area MP and climate activist Steven Guilbeault says he will resign his seat in the House of Commons later this summer, according to a statement posted to social media.
Guilbeault said he will remain a member of the Liberal caucus until he resigns. He informed his caucus colleagues of his decision Wednesday morning in their weekly meeting, a day after Global News reported his plans to resign.
The decision to quit was a “result of careful consideration,” Guilbeault said.
“After almost seven years as a Member of Parliament and Minister, I have come to the conclusion that it is time for me to pursue my fight for environmental protection and the fight against climate change in a different way,” he said in his statement, thanking the residents of his riding Laurier-Sainte-Marie for electing him to Parliament.
In a speech to the House of Commons Wednesday evening, Guilbeault defended his record as a fierce climate policy advocate in Justin Trudeau’s cabinet and pushed back on critics’ claims he was “anti-development.”
“There are many reasons that lead people to enter politics,” he said. “In my case, it was a desire to pursue my quest for a better environment, for the fight against climate change, and for nature protection.”
“The struggle for our planet is defining for our generation, and I will continue to fight,” he said in French. “I fully intend to continue fighting.”
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He noted the climate adaptation policies he championed as environment minister, including emissions regulations and other measures, “were working” and making a difference.
He did not mention Prime Minister Mark Carney’s rollback of some of those measures, including the consumer carbon price, as he pursues an energy agreement with Alberta.
Guilbeault became emotional as he thanked his family, friends, staff and colleagues, who he said “gave me far more than I could ever give back.” Liberal MPs gave him a standing ovation after his speech.
Carney’s slim majority in the House of Commons will get razor thin after Guilbeault’s resignation.
After three key byelection wins in April, Carney’s Liberals secured a majority, taking their numbers from 171 to 174. Guilbeault’s resignation would put them at 173, just one more than the 172 needed for a majority.
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Earlier in the day, Carney said he wishes Guilbeault “all the best” in whatever he chooses to do with his career next.
Carney said he understands that “things change.”
“It’s for him to make decisions about his career in the next stage of the career. All aspects of all our careers, even journalists, even prime ministers, get to a point where things change and they make people make decisions,” Carney said.
Carney thanked Guilbeault for his contributions to his Montreal-area riding as well as to the party, adding that he enjoyed working with him.
“We worked together when I was UN special representative on climate action and finance as well. We work together closely in a variety of areas, and I have always enjoyed working with him,” Carney said.
Guilbeault’s political future within the Liberal Party of Canada has been in doubt ever since he quit Carney’s cabinet over the deal with Alberta that could see a new oil pipeline built to the West Coast.
Before entering politics in 2019, Guilbeault was a climate activist for Greenpeace.
— with files from Global’s David Akin and Sean Boynton
Alllll. Liberals should disappear. Take there scam with them
The guy got his government pension
Bye, bye…
loser anyway
Good riddance, Steven Goofball.
Canadians can’t afford carbon policy. And what is the point when overseas countries blast pollution at a level 100 times worse than Canada ever has.
Byeeee
And he keeps on hanging on. The Gadfly will stretch his exit for as long as possible, so he can belly up to the trough for an extended financial fill up as long as possible.
Take a short rope and go rappel off a tall building.
Good riddance
He better hire a security team.
Good. Get lost loser
Don’t let the door hit you in the a$$ as you leave.
I guess he is qualified for a pension now.
not a minute too soon
Here’s your coat…bye bye
Good riddance. This eco terrorist should be in jail rather than in parliament.
This article repeats the misinformation that the Liberals attained a majority in 3 by-elections. That is false. They held all 3 seats before the byelections. It was enticing opposition MPs to cross the floor that earned the majority. The price paid for the floor crossings has not been revealed
build up his pension .. carney should just kick him out
Wont be missed.
Good riddance
Interesting, long enough for him to receive a pension
Old Stock Canadian
Thanks. I haven’t had such a good laugh in weeks.
Can’t say I blame Guilbeault. Carney’s proved he doesn’t give a darn about the environment.
Best news today. Now would be a better time to go.
After you worked us over here in Canada, now you’re on to better things? Try dealing with all the pollution caused by this unnecessary war in Iran. 🤨🤨🤨
Guilbeault was basically with a group that was anti-resource and catered to foundations like the Tides, Narwhal and Trudeau foundations’. Which were basically political extremist organization’s that targeted recourse sectors like mining and oil and gas in Western Canada. His legacy will be destroying Canada resource economy. His departure is no loss to Canada
Why wait to get himself arrested? Quit now!
Maybe now that he qualifies for a lifetime pension is when his principles kick in!
Great deal with Germany
Hi and Trudeau almost destroyed Canada, it would be better if they left the country all together
About time, he and boy wonder have done so much damage to Canada.
Another activist bites the dust, and not a single tear will be shed.
Good riddance
The whole consumer carbon tax green scam has been illuminated. The world will not come to an end.
Finally we can get rid of this activist left wing lunatic. Go hug a tree Guilbeault! Now if we can get the rest of Turdeus minions to beat it maybe we can start to move forward.
Why wait? Leave now. You won’t be missed.
The environment is fine, and 2 decades of fear mongering has become quite long in the tooth
Convicted criminals should be serving in parliament anyways. When you’re too extreme for green peace, you really have no place making national policy for a nation! Gtfo you absolute nutbag!
Being the new leader of the Green Party might suit him better…
Leave now then
LOL …. TDS,….elbows. Old and passe arguments.
@ben Get real …. The ONLY existential threat to Canada and Canadians is Carney and the Liberals and their new best buds the communist Chinese. Try getting some help with that TDS, I hear therapy works well and also helps get thise stuck elbows down again too.
Good riddance !!! Don’t let the entitlement door hit you in a** on the way out.
Good riddance to the Eco-terrorist.
About time. He’s a complete waste of skin!
@Ben. The threat to Canada is the Liberals.
Canada has an existential threat to our existence called the USA. Unfortunately this means the environment is a much lower priority. We need to be realistic.
Maybe hes gilted enough to expose carneys numerous diddlings
One Godless Communist leaving the pit of thieves and fornicaters is a start.
Repent !!! Heathen Liberals !
Good riddance. Lying pos
Hopefully more Liberals follow Steven’s path.
That is the thing about the Liberal Party getting people with criminal records to run as MPs. They have no morals or loyalty.
Still waiting for Carney to help Canadians.. 🙄
Good riddance. Just ruinous for Canada.