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?
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my hon. NDP colleague from Courtenay—Alberni for his comments. He has been an incredible ally and friend in the House. He is right that we have worked closely together on a number of issues. I have always appreciated his dedication to environmental issues and to working together to find solutions, something that is not always necessarily easy in this place. For that I
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my long-time friend, the leader of the Green Party and member of Parliament for Saanich—Gulf Islands, for her remarks. We have indeed known each other for a very long time. We worked together before we entered politics, although her political career began much earlier than mine. We have a lot in common, including our birthday, which is coming up soon, for those
Mr. Speaker, I think I heard a compliment in there somewhere. I think if all of us listened really hard, we would find it. I will take it.
Mr. Speaker, a few months after I turned 25, I embarked on my first overseas trip, one that, without my knowing it, would set the course of my entire life. I was heading to Berlin for what was then a little-known gathering: the very first conference of parties on climate change, COP1. History was being made, and I was lucky enough to be in the room. Like many of my peers at the time, I was
Mr. Speaker, I sincerely thank my colleague and friend from the Bloc Québécois, the member for Repentigny, for his kind words, on his own behalf and, as I understand it, on behalf of his party. The political arena can sometimes be very difficult, but it is also a place where we can accomplish great things. When the United Nations approached us in spring 2022 to ask us to host COP15 in Montreal,
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the government whip for everything he has done for me personally and professionally in the House. He has been an incredible ally, as have many people on both sides of the House. To answer his question, like I said in French a few moments ago, I would tell this young 25-year-old, wide-eyed Canadian going abroad for the first time to believe in his dreams. If I told
Mr. Chair, my throat is bothering me. I've asked the questions I wanted to ask. If any Liberals want to take my speaking time, I'll stop there.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to thank the witnesses. I would like to return to the issue of the Broadcasting Act, and focus on two elements in particular. Ms. Budnisky, you began to explain this to us earlier, and I would like you to expand on that. You are welcome to do so in English. Obviously, the CRTC has power over conventional broadcasters, but not over online media. I would like to
Thus, if we wanted to set up a system to try to restrain or limit the ability of certain countries to spread such propaganda—as my colleague from the Conservative Party mentioned earlier—we would need a completely different system that specifically targets social media, online media and platforms.
An impediment is an obstacle.
I didn't know Mr. Brunelle‑Duceppe had crossed the floor. I offered it to my Liberal colleagues, Mr. Brunelle‑Duceppe.