Outgoing Green Party Leader Elizabeth May says she regrets supporting the Liberals' previous federal budget, accusing the government of abandoning its climate commitments as she vows to vote against the 2026 budget.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Friday, May criticized Prime Minister Mark Carney's government over its approach to climate change and plans to expand oil and gas infrastructure.
“I voted for the budget last year because the Prime Minister stood and said the government was committed to achieving the Paris Agreement targets. I was a fool to believe the Liberals,” May said. “I have repented for being a fool. I see clear-eyed now.”
May, who represents Saanich-Gulf Islands, was the only opposition MP to support the Liberals' 2025 budget, which passed a confidence vote 170 to 168 on November 17.
She told MPs Friday that she had discussed the previous budget with Carney, members of his staff, and the former environment minister before deciding to support it.
“I do not think this is a spoiler alert, but that will not be happening again. I will not be voting for this budget,” she said.
May argued the 2026 budget marks a significant departure from Canada's climate commitments, pointing to language criticizing previous climate policies for focusing on emissions targets without practical plans.
She accused the government of moving away from those targets while continuing to support fossil fuel development.
Her criticism also extended to the proposed Pacific Link pipeline, which the federal government designated a project of national interest in October.
The proposed 1,250-kilometre pipeline would transport up to one million barrels of crude oil per day from Alberta to a deep-water port near Delta, BC.
Ottawa says the project would expand Canada's access to international energy markets, create jobs, and generate economic growth.
However, May questioned the government's decision to advance the project, arguing it had done so without a cost-benefit analysis.
The federal government says the project underwent consultations before receiving its national interest designation and will be subject to further regulatory review.
May also warned that expanding pipeline infrastructure would undermine efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“This is not a budget I can vote for,” she said, urging MPs to push for climate policies focused on reducing emissions and restoring forest cover.
She called on the government to treat climate change as an emergency rather than continuing to expand oil and gas production.
