Statement from Tim Gray, Executive Director
Toronto | Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – Environmental Defence extends its gratitude to Steven Guilbeault for his years of dedication to Canada. In his time as Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, he made significant progress in building a robust climate action framework for the country and did everything in his power to put us on a path to a better, more just future. He worked to hold Canada accountable to meeting its climate targets, developed a strategy to build a clean, competitive and expanding electricity grid, capped pollution from the country’s largest emitters, upheld polluter pays mechanisms, ended many fossil fuel subsidies, addressed toxic chemicals, protected biodiversity and limited plastic pollution. On the international stage, Mister Guilbeault enjoyed widespread respect as an effective and focused negotiator and a leader on establishing funding for Global South countries dealing with the impacts of the climate crisis.
His departure comes as Prime Minister Carney’s government guts Canada’s climate laws and policies and is proposing to roll back at least 50 years of environmental progress. PM Carney is overseeing the worst evisceration of environmental law in Canadian history in a futile and misguided attempt to appease the fossil fuel industry and Alberta’s Premier Smith. His actions will ensure that Canada is left behind while the rest of the world rapidly adopts clean energy systems that are already more reliable, affordable and secure than fossil fuels.
We applaud Steven Guilbeault for his integrity and his work. We call on more MPs to publicly reject the government’s assault on climate, nature and Canada’s economic and social future. This is a moment for leaders to step forward to remind Prime Minister Carney that in the 21st Century, real security and economic growth can only be achieved alongside bold climate action and protection of all that we hold dear as Canadians.
ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.
– 30 –
For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Lauren Thomas, Environmental Defence, media@environmentaldefence.ca
