‘Things change’: Carney wishes Guilbeault ‘all the best’ for his future

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.

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.

Prime Minister Mark 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.

— Steven Guilbeault (@s_guilbeault) May 27, 2026

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.

— with files from Global’s David Aikin