Into a second stint as Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, the Montreal MP has resigned in protest of Mark Carney's new energy policies. His exit comes while the Canadian music industry seeks consistency in government policy and support.
Canada no longer has a Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture.
Yesterday (Nov. 27), the holder of that position, Steven Guilbeault, resigned from Cabinet in protest against PM Mark Carney's controversial energy deal with Alberta. Guilbeault was also Minister responsible for Official Languages and Minister of Nature and Parks Canada, as well as Carney's Lieutenant in Quebec.
As the Globe and Mail notes , Guilbeault spent four years as environment minister under former Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, after first being elected in 2019. He endorsed Carney for Liberal leadership and, though he oversaw culture, continued to advocate for strong climate policy. The two clashed over Carney's pipeline deal in Alberta.
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“Changes in our relationship with the United States have led to profound disruptions affecting the global order, diplomatic relations, and the economy,” he wrote in a statement. “I understand and share the prime minister’s efforts to ensure our country remains united and that all regions feel they have a voice...Despite this difficult economic context, I remain one of those for whom environmental issues must remain front and centre. That is why I strongly oppose the memorandum of understanding between the federal government and the government of Alberta.”
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Guilbeault was no stranger to Canada's cultural sector, for he formerly served as the Minister of Canadian Heritage from 2019 to 2021, prior to taking the role of Minister of Environment and Climate Change from 2021 to 2025. He was then installed in the newly named role of Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture in May 2025.
His previous stint in the heritage portfolio was well-received by the music industry. In 2021, he gave the keynote address at Canadian Music Week (CMW). Introducing him there, then-Music Canada COO/Connect Music Licensing president Jackie Dean termed Guilbeault “a champion for our community and a steadfast source of support for the industry.” In that speech, given remotely at the height of the pandemic, Guilbeault noted “that the pandemic has hit the Canadian music industry and Canada's live music sector particularly hard. And yet it has been our artists, our musicians and our creators that we've turned to help us get through these tough times.”
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Guilbeault recapped the federal government’s early financial aid as part of a $500 million Emergency Support Fund — which complemented the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) — providing, through the Canada Music Fund 'an unprecedented' $32.9 million to 876 Canadian music entrepreneurs and organizations. 'The funding helped to allow entrepreneurs and organizations maintain jobs and support business continuity,' he said.
There has been quite a turnover in the heritage/culture portfolio in recent years. Mélanie Joly served as Heritage Minister from 2015-2018, followed by Pablo Rodriguez, 2018-2019, Steven Guilbeault, 2019-2021, Rodriguez again, then Pascale St-Onge, 2023-2025.
This revolving door of ministers is likely of concern to a Canadian music industry that is seeking consistency in government policy and support of this sector.
In May, The Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) welcomed Guilbeault to his new position while issuing an urgent call to prioritize Canadian-Owned Culture, IP and sovereignty. In a statement, the trade org wrote that "Minister Guilbeault takes on this portfolio at a critical moment for Canada’s cultural sector. As venture capital, global tech platforms, and multinational entertainment corporations expand their dominance and market share, the future of Canadian-owned culture — and the intellectual property that drives it — is at risk without renewed, dynamic and stable investment in the sector."
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The Ministry of Canadian Identity and Culture has a direct impact on the Canadian music industry via its administration of the Canada Music Fund, which supports both FACTOR and Musicaction. These granting bodies provide artists, labels and other organizations with funding for a wide range of activities, including recording, touring, marketing and music video production.
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In March 2024, Pascale St-Onge, then Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced at the Junos that the government would increase the Canada Music Fund by $32 million over the next two fiscal years. Earlier this month, Budget 2025 allocated $48 million over three years for the Canada Music Fund, starting in the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Guilbeault’s resignation comes amidst rumours of other possible cabinet departures. A cabinet shuffle is expected, but no date has been set for the appointment of a new Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture. In his resignation letter, Guilbeault stated he will continue to represent the riding of Laurier-Saint-Marie in Montreal as a Liberal MP.
