Liberals Quietly Worried About Carney's Environmental Rollbacks

Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent agreement with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith—which clears the way for a West Coast oil pipeline to begin construction by September 2027—is quietly fracturing his own caucus.

Fourteen Liberal MPs, representing ridings across Quebec, British Columbia, and beyond, sent a letter to Carney at the end of April expressing "deep concern" that the government's credibility on climate is being compromised. They didn't want their names made public, framing their approach as "constructive and respectful." But the subtext is clear: environmental concessions to secure a major investment are a hard sell to the party's climate-minded base.

The letter, obtained by Radio-Canada, specifically called for protecting "clean electricity regulations"—standards the government has indicated a willingness to loosen. The MPs reiterated that "climate change remains the greatest threat of our time," a pointed contrast to Carney's pivot toward resource development and corporate investment.

So far, only one cabinet voice has broken ranks publicly: Steven Guilbeault, the former environment minister, left Carney's cabinet last fall over the initial memorandum of understanding with Alberta. He's been vocal about his concerns ever since. But the anonymous letter suggests the discontent runs deeper and wider—and that many Liberals are waiting for political cover before speaking up.

The Bloc Québécois is already using parliamentary tools to amplify these dissenting voices, hoping more Liberals will step forward publicly before the summer recess. For Carney, the silence from his own benches may be more dangerous than loud opposition: it suggests a party fracturing along lines of climate principle versus economic pragmatism.