Steven Guilbeault, a Liberal MP and former environment and climate change minister, will resign from Parliament [1].
The departure of a high-profile climate advocate from within the governing party signals a deepening rift over Canada's environmental strategy. Guilbeault's exit suggests that the current administration's policies are no longer sufficient for those who previously led the nation's green initiatives.
Guilbeault is scheduled to announce his resignation to the Liberal caucus on Wednesday, May 26, 2026 [4]. Following the caucus meeting, he is expected to deliver a speech in the House of Commons later that afternoon [5].
Sources said the decision stems from Guilbeault's disillusionment with the climate and environmental policies of the Carney government [1, 2, 3]. While specific policy failures were not detailed in the announcement, the resignation marks a significant break between the former minister and the current executive leadership.
Guilbeault previously served as the minister responsible for the environment, where he was tasked with overseeing Canada's emissions targets. His transition from a cabinet role to a backbench MP did not bridge the gap between his ideological goals and the government's legislative direction.
The resignation process will take place in Ottawa [6]. By addressing both his party colleagues and the broader legislature, Guilbeault is ensuring his objections to the government's environmental record are entered into the public record.
“Steven Guilbeault, a Liberal MP and former environment and climate change minister, will resign from Parliament.”
This resignation reflects a critical ideological divide within the Liberal Party regarding the pace and scale of climate action. By resigning over policy disagreements, Guilbeault moves from internal advocacy to external criticism, potentially emboldening environmental movements and creating a political vacuum for the Carney government to either pivot its strategy or double down on its current approach.
