Kenney says longtime activist's appointment as environment minister sends 'very problematic' message

AlbertaPremier Jason Kenney says the federal government's choice forminister ofenvironment and climate change Tuesdaysends a "very problematic" message to the province.

Longtime environmental activist and former heritage minister Steven Guilbeault will take on the prominent role in cabinet as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau'sLiberals attempt to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.

The Quebec MP once worked as a senior member of Greenpeace and wasarrestedin 2001 for scaling Toronto's CN Towerin an attempt to draw attention to climate change.

WATCH | Steven Guilbeault scaledCN Tower as Greenpeaceactivist in2001:

Taking Greenpeace's message to the skies

23 years ago

Duration 3:14

Greenpeace scales Toronto's CN Tower in protest over the Kyoto Protocol.

Guilbeault has vocally opposedpipelinesandalso co-founded the environmental non-profit group quiterre, which was cited asa participant in "anti-Alberta energy campaigns" in the United Conservative Party's controversial Allan Report. Guilbeault himself was mentioned in the report by name six times.

On Tuesday, Kenney expressed concern over his appointment as minister of environment and climate change.

"I certainly hope that[Guilbeault]will quickly demonstrate to Alberta, and other resource-producing provinces, adesire to work together constructively on practical solutions that don't end up killing hundreds of thousands of jobs," Kenney said.

"But hisown personal background and track record on these issues suggest somebody who is more of an absolutist than a pragmatist when it comes to finding solutions."

'Kenney's head is gonna explode'

Duane Bratt, a political scientist with Mount Royal University in Calgary, put it more bluntly.

"Kenney's head isgonna explode," he said. "This is really a finger in the eye to everything that Kenney has done."

According to Bratt, Guilbeault, who was a star recruit for the federal Liberals in 2019, desperately wanted to be the environment minister.

"I think Trudeau would have put him in that spot in 2019, except for the shellacking they took out in the Prairies," Bratt said.

Jonathan Wilkinson had the job but was shuffled on Tuesday to become minister of natural resources, which makes him another notable appointment for Alberta.

Kenney said Tuesday that Wilkinson's relationship withAlberta had been "constructive" during his tenure as environment minister.

"I think [he] understood that Alberta is a good faith partner in addressing the climate challenge, and I think broadly agreed with our effort," the premier said.

Meanwhile, Bratt saysGuilbeault could have his work cut out for him.

"If the job is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, I think he could very well be effective. If it's about the politics around that, that's going to be a lot tougher for this man."

If the job is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, I think he could very well be effective. If it's about the politics around that, that's going to be a lot tougher for this man.- Duane Bratt,political scientist with Mount Royal University

But when Guilbeault was running for the federal Liberals in 2019, the high-profile environmentalist said he was willing to be pragmatic about pipelines in the pursuit of better environment policyand explained why he felt comfortable running for the party, despite seeing the issue differently.

"I disagree with the pipeline," he told CBC Newsat the time aboutthe Trans Mountain pipeline, whichthe Liberal governmentpurchased in 2018. Itapproved itsexpansionthe following year.

"But when I look at everything that the Liberal government has done over the past four years, in terms of fighting climate change,there's so much for me to rally around that, despite this point of disagreement, I've decided to go ahead."

UCPhas tried to work with Ottawa, Kenney says

Kenney saidTuesday that since elected in 2019, the UCP has attempted to find a way forward with the federal government and tried to address the "urgent need" to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while still growing Alberta's economy and responsibly developing its resources.

WATCH | Kenney outlines his concerns over the appointment:

Alberta's premier reacts to Canada's new federal environment minister

3 years ago

Duration 3:01

Jason Kenney says the longtime activist's appointment as environment minister sends a "very problematic" message.

"Despite our best efforts, we have constantly been surprised by ever-more ambitious federal targets and prejudicial policies, which seem to be directed at impeding Alberta's natural resource development, jobs and our economy," Kenney said.

But Bratt pointed out that Kenney'sso-called Fight-Back Strategyhas likely not endeared his government to anyone in Ottawa, nor has it done him many favours back in Alberta.

"The carbon tax, the War Room, the Allan Inquiry, buying[the Keystone XL pipeline] they've all been self-punches to the face," Bratt said.

"I don't think Trudeau thinks he's got a lot of leverage right now," said Bratt.

He pointed toboth the "massive unpopularity of the Kenney government" and theseats the Liberals managed to win in Alberta in the federal election.

Appointment comes days before UN climate conference

Meanwhile, Alberta's energy industryseemedto be taking the appointment in stride.

TheCanadian Association of Energy Contractors (CAEC), the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA) and theCanadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) said they would continue working with the federal government.

Tim McMillan, the president and CEO of CAPP, said it was incredibly important that industry, along with Guilbeault and Wilkinson, find common ground.

"Canadian producers share the aspiration of Canadians to find realistic and workable solutions to the challenge of climate change," he said.

Bratt said environmental groups will likely bethrilled to seeGuilbeault in the role.

The announcement comes just days ahead of the United Nations climate change conference in Glasgow.

"[Trudeau is] gonna walk in with someone who got arrested and convicted over demonstrations to defend the environment," Bratt said."That's pretty strong cred."