Alberta’s Minister of Transportation Devin Dreeshen said he’s “confused” as to why Canada’s Climate Change minister Steven Guilbeault would say the feds would no longer fund road infrastructure projects.

Guilbeault made the shocking declaration on Monday — then backtracked on Wednesday —  but has nonetheless received serious backlash from elected officials. 

Guilbeault made “reckless comments,” Dreeshen told The Counter Signal. “A growing population with industry going out to pretty much every corner of the province, we need to make sure we have a road network that keeps up to our growth, and helps our province prosper.”

Minister Guilbeault said on Monday that there will be no funding for any new projects, but said they will continue to finish off the already existing construction. 

Using money for road materials is a waste of time and is “better invested into projects that will help fight climate change,” Guilbeault said, while also urging citizens to use public transit or active transport instead of their cars. 

Alongside Dreeshen, Premier Danielle Smith was also stunned by Guilbeault’s comments, stating that “most of us can’t just head out the door in the snow and rain and just walk 10 kilometers to work each day.” 

Guilbeault feels investing in roads could hurt the climate

Guilbeault semi-backtracked on Wednesday, admitting his comment required clarifying. The former CN Tower scaler’s clarification was that the feds would no longer be funding “large” road projects. 

Regardless, according to Dreeshen, Guilbeault is an “eco radical” who should be expelled from the federal cabinet.

Dreeshen added: “These types of comments he’s making are dangerous to Canada and the growth of our country. If he remains, that damage and that uncertainty would remain.” 

Dreeshen said Guilbeault’s assertions will be a focal point at next week’s meeting between federal and provincial ministers in Montreal.