Carney Shakes Up Cabinet After Guilbeault’s Exit
So here’s what’s been unfolding in Ottawa — and it’s been quite a week. Prime Minister Mark Carney has carried out a small but significant cabinet shuffle after Steven Guilbeault abruptly resigned from cabinet. His decision came right after Ottawa struck a new energy pact with Alberta that clears the path for a pipeline to the British Columbia coast, something Guilbeault could not support. He’s staying on as a Liberal MP, but his departure created some immediate gaps that had to be filled.
To steady things quickly, Carney appointed Montreal MP Marc Miller as the new minister of Canadian identity and culture, and also placed him in charge of official languages. Miller isn’t new to cabinet life; he served under Justin Trudeau from 2019 to 2025. But until now, he hadn’t been part of Carney’s team. This appointment marks his return at a time when the government is dealing with both internal shifts and external pressure, especially from the United States.
The changes don’t stop there. Joël Lightbound, who had been serving as the minister of government transformation, was moved into the role of Carney’s Quebec lieutenant, replacing Guilbeault. And Julie Dabrusin, the environment and climate change minister, has now taken over the nature portfolio as well — another piece that Guilbeault left behind.
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A big part of the backdrop to all this is the evolving role of the culture ministry. Under Trudeau, it was heavily geared toward taking on big U.S. tech platforms, and Guilbeault even introduced the Online Streaming Act and Online News Act. But since Carney stepped in, the government’s priorities have shifted. A separate minister was appointed specifically to handle artificial intelligence, leaving some uncertainty about how issues like copyright and online harms will be managed across multiple departments.
When asked about whether he’d take the lead on online harms, Miller kept things broad, saying he’d be working with the entire cabinet and emphasizing the urgency of protecting people who are being targeted or harmed online — something he noted feels very different from the world he grew up in.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has been turning up the pressure on Canada to scrap both the Online Streaming Act and the Online News Act. Cultural and broadcasting groups here have been pushing back, urging the government to stand firm during trade talks. Miller made it clear that, while Canada trades with many countries, arts and culture can’t simply be put on the bargaining table.
Of course, the opposition had its own take. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre took a swipe at Miller’s previous cabinet record, criticizing his time as immigration minister and linking him to broader issues like housing costs and crime. Lightbound, speaking in French, acknowledged that Quebecers understand the need for “economic realism” but also said the government remains committed to balancing economic strength with environmental responsibility.
All in all, Carney’s shuffle may be small, but it lands at a pivotal moment — one where political, economic, and cultural pressures are colliding in a big way.
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