Dabrusin rejects Guilbeault’s claim Ottawa is weakening climate plan

Environment and Climate Change Minister Julie Dabrusin is rejecting Steven Guilbeault’s claim that Ottawa’s new agreement with Alberta is weakening Canada’s climate plan.

Guilbeault resigned from cabinet after the federal government and Alberta signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that could open the door to a new oil and gas pipeline to the British Columbia coast. In his resignation statement, he expressed concern that suspending the oil and gas emissions cap and delaying clean electricity rules could harm Canada’s climate efforts.

Dabrusin disagreed, saying the MOU does not cancel or roll back any programs. She explained that the agreement gives provinces flexibility to show how they can meet federal climate targets through their own approaches.

The MOU commits Ottawa to pause clean electricity regulations in Alberta and hold off on the emissions cap while both governments work toward a new carbon-pricing equivalency deal. The deadline to reach agreements on carbon pricing and methane regulations is April 1, 2026.

The MOU also says Canada and Alberta will engage with Indigenous communities in both provinces, with involvement from British Columbia's government for discussions with First Nations there.

Maureen Nyce, the elected chief councillor of the Haisla Nation in northern B.C., said she sees major obstacles to the pipeline. She believes weakening environmental protections—such as the emissions cap, Fisheries Act, and Species at Risk Act—will face strong resistance from communities. Nyce also questioned whether the project would be financially viable by the time it could be built.

B.C.’s Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, Adrian Dix, said the potential pipeline remains a highly uncertain project. He noted that no formal proposal currently exists and that the province is focused on other economic priorities.

The MOU states that the goal is a privately financed pipeline with Indigenous co-ownership that would expand access to Asian markets. Paul Colborne, CEO of Surge Energy, expects multiple companies to show interest in taking on the project, saying the agreement signals a more welcoming environment for investment.

Alberta’s Energy Minister Brian Jean said securing a private-sector proponent is essential and called the agreement a positive example of cooperation within Canada.