Steven Guilbeault
- Born
- June 9, 1970 — La Tuque in Haute-Mauricie
- Education
- Studied computer science in CEGEP (junior college), enrolled in industrial relations at the Université de Montréal in 1989. Switched his major to political science. He minored in theology.
- Career
- Founding member of Équiterre, director and campaign manager for the Greenpeace Quebec chapter for ten years, senior consultant for Deloitte and Touche
- Political Experience
- Minister of Canadian Heritage from 2019 to 2021, Minister of Environment and Climate Change from 2021 to 2025, and Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages in 2025. MP for Laurier–Sainte-Marie since 2019.
- Notable
- Scaled Toronto's CN Tower in 2001 as a Greenpeace activist. Sat on the climate change advisory committees of three successive Quebec governments.
Based on publicly available information — may contain inaccuracies
Business & Financial Interests
Before entering politics, Steven Guilbeault was a prominent environmental activist. In 1993, he co-founded Équiterre, a large environmental organization based in Quebec. He also served as the director and campaign manager for the Quebec chapter of Greenpeace for ten years. His public ethics declarations as a cabinet minister list various assets, including publicly traded securities in registered retirement savings plans and other investment accounts.
Key Relationships & Connections
As a senior cabinet minister, Steven Guilbeault is a key member of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government. He maintains long-standing relationships within the Canadian environmental movement stemming from his career as an activist and his leadership roles at Équiterre and Greenpeace. These connections have reportedly shaped his approach as Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
In 2021, the Ethics Commissioner investigated a complaint regarding a meeting Steven Guilbeault held as Heritage Minister with a lobbyist for a group described as an advisory body to the Chinese government. The commissioner's report concluded that Guilbeault did not breach the Conflict of Interest Act. Separately, his department faced scrutiny for awarding a media training contract to a firm whose president had donated to the Liberal Party and worked on a past campaign for a Liberal minister, which raised questions about potential preferential treatment.
Public Controversies
Steven Guilbeault has been a frequent subject of public controversy, both for his past activism and his actions as a minister. His 2001 arrest after scaling Toronto's CN Tower as a Greenpeace activist is often cited by political opponents. As Minister of Canadian Heritage, he faced significant criticism over Bills C-11 (Online Streaming Act) and C-18 (Online News Act), with opponents raising concerns about government regulation of the internet and press freedom. As Environment Minister, he generated a major controversy in 2024 when he stated the federal government would stop investing in new "large road projects." He later clarified his remarks, stating that the government would continue to fund road maintenance and safety projects but would prioritize public transit. The initial comments drew sharp criticism, particularly from provincial premiers and opposition parties.
Where Steven falls on key policy spectrums
Your Money
People & Society
How We're Governed
Land & Community
Steven Guilbeault won with 27,286 votes (52.1%)
Total votes cast: 52,401
How does Steven Guilbeault's voting record line up with your values?
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I would like to thank all the witnesses for joining us. I would like to wish all members of the public service here with us a happy National Public Service Week. I would like to return to the issue of climate finance, which you touched on briefly. For the benefit of all members of the committee, I would like to point out that $5.9 billion has been pledged as
Thank you very much.
Mr. Chair, I have a point of order.
Thank you for those answers. If I recall correctly, this announcement on climate finance was welcomed by several NGOs, both in Canada and internationally. Could you provide us with some information on this, if you have it? We talked about FinDev Canada. To answer Mr. Aboultaif's question, perhaps you could provide us with some information, in particular on the GAIA fund, which was launched in
Very briefly, Ms. Do, could you share with the committee the reaction, in particular, of several developing countries to the announcement of the GAIA fund at COP29 in Azerbaijan? That would be very helpful.
You don't just impute motives in this manner to the minister. I understand that this isn't necessarily the answer—