Guilbeault Steps Back from Federal Politics
One of the Liberal Party's most recognizable faces is heading for the exit. Steven Guilbeault, the longtime MP for Laurier–Sainte-Marie in Montreal, is set to resign his seat in the House of Commons, according to sources cited by CBC News.
Guilbeault, 54, has been one of the most visible and at times polarizing figures in Canadian federal politics over the past several years. He first rose to national prominence as a climate activist and co-founder of Équiterre before making the leap to politics, winning his Montreal riding in 2019 under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
A Career Defined by Climate Policy
During his time in cabinet, Guilbeault served as Minister of Canadian Heritage and later as Minister of Environment and Climate Change — a role that put him at the centre of some of the most contested policy debates in recent Canadian history.
His tenure included championing the federal carbon price, pushing for stronger emissions reduction targets, and advancing legislation aimed at reining in oil and gas sector pollution. Supporters credited him with bringing genuine environmental conviction into the cabinet room. Critics — particularly from Alberta and Saskatchewan — argued his approach was economically damaging and ideologically rigid.
The carbon price, which became a flashpoint in national debates about affordability and climate action, will likely remain one of the defining legacies of his time in government, for better or worse depending on who you ask.
What His Exit Means for the Liberals
Guilbeault's departure comes as the Liberal Party attempts to regroup under new leadership following Trudeau's exit from the scene. Losing a figure of his profile — someone with strong name recognition in Quebec and deep roots in the environmental movement — is a notable development for a caucus still finding its footing.
His Montreal riding of Laurier–Sainte-Marie, a dense urban seat that includes the Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood, has been a Liberal stronghold but is not immune to shifting political winds. A by-election would be required to fill the vacancy, and it could draw competitive interest from the NDP and Bloc Québécois.
From Activism to Ottawa and Back
Guilbeault's career arc is a relatively rare one in Canadian politics — a grassroots activist who made it all the way to a senior cabinet position and helped shape national policy on the issue he'd devoted his life to before entering parliament.
Whether his resignation signals a return to civil society, a move to another role, or simply a step away from public life remains unclear. Neither Guilbeault's office nor Liberal Party officials had confirmed the news at the time of reporting.
What is clear is that his exit will be felt, adding another name to the growing list of prominent Liberals who have stepped back from federal politics in recent months — a reflection of just how much the party's landscape has shifted since its years in government under Trudeau.
Source: CBC Top Stories — Liberal MP Steven Guilbeault to resign: sources
