B.C. Liberal MP Jonathan Wilkinson insists he is not dissatisfied with the direction of the Liberal government, despite Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s claims that he is opposed to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s environmental policy changes. In conversation with the media, Wilkinson dismissed Poilievre’s suggestion that he is unhappy with the Liberals’ evolving climate agenda. Wilkinson, who previously served as both environment minister and natural resources minister, said he found it “interesting” his name was invoked but rejected the premise.
Poilievre made the remarks while addressing internal turmoil in his own party after two Conservative MPs announced departures last week. He pointed to public critiques from Liberal MPs, including Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, as evidence of “dissent” within the governing party. He also claimed that former environment minister Steven Guilbeault and Wilkinson were dissatisfied with Carney’s environmental reversals.
Since taking office, Carney has backed away from some key Trudeau-era climate measures, most notably ending the consumer carbon tax in March. His government has also been noncommittal about meeting Canada’s 2030 and 2035 emissions targets, though Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin maintains the targets remain “ambitious” and active.
Last week’s federal budget indicated plans to abandon the proposed oil and gas emissions cap, arguing that stronger industrial carbon pricing, improved methane rules, and carbon capture technology could make the cap unnecessary.
Wilkinson acknowledged he was “disappointed” to see the consumer carbon tax scrapped, calling it the “most economically efficient” way to cut emissions. However, he blamed Poilievre for turning the policy into a divisive national issue.
Pressed on whether he is concerned by the government’s climate direction, Wilkinson said it’s clear shifts are underway but emphasized that climate-related investment tax credits and electricity regulations remain in progress. He argued the government will eventually need to release a more comprehensive climate plan.
Meeting Canada’s targets was “always going to be a stretch,” he added, noting that the detailed climate plan developed when he was minister reached 36% of the reductions required for the 2030 benchmark.
Wilkinson also addressed a letter he had written in March criticizing energy CEOs for using the U.S.-led trade war as justification to roll back environmental rules. He said he remains concerned about industry pressure to eliminate regulations such as the industrial carbon price.
Still, he believes the Carney government is “making the right moves,” stressing that continued ambition is necessary — and that he intends to push for it.
“I’m not unhappy,” Wilkinson reiterated. “And I’ll keep advocating for strong climate action.”
