Alberta Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz Resigns From Cabinet, to Step Down as MLA

Alberta’s Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz has announced her resignation from cabinet, saying she plans to pursue new career opportunities.

Schulz will step down as environment minister on Jan. 2, 2026, but will remain the MLA for Calgary-Shaw until May. She has served as environment minister since June 2023 and has represented the Calgary riding since 2019.

“I have spent the better part of the last 16 years in politics—as a campaigner, a staffer, an MLA, and a Minister—and I’ve truly enjoyed every minute of it,” Schulz said in a Dec. 31 statement.

“However, timing is everything in life and in politics, and it is time for me to seek new opportunities in my career.”

Premier Danielle Smith accepted Schulz’s resignation, offering her “sincere appreciation and most heartfelt thanks” for her service in public office.

“I wish Rebecca and her family all of the best when she seeks new career opportunities,” Smith said in a Dec. 31 social media post, adding she looks forward to continuing to work with Schulz until the spring.

Grant Hunter, MLA for Taber-Warner and associate minister of water, will take over as minister of environment and protected areas on Jan. 2, Smith said. Hunter has previously served as associate minister for red-tape reduction and as a parliamentary secretary for agri-food processing.

Justin Wright, MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat, will assume Hunter’s role as chief government whip for the United Conservative Party (UCP) caucus.

Before becoming environment minister, Schulz served as minister of children’s services under former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney, and as minister of municipal affairs under Premier Danielle Smith. She was among the candidates in the 2022 UCP leadership race after Kenney stepped down, placing fourth.

Schulz has a background in communications, having served as communications director for Saskatchewan’s ministry of education from 2013 to 2016. She is a wife and a mother of two young children.

As environment minister, Schulz has criticized Ottawa’s environmental policies, calling them “out-of-touch” and, in several cases, saying they infringe on provincial jurisdiction.

“I’ve been proud to stand up and defend Albertans, our livelihoods, our economy and major industries from ideological and unconstitutional federal overreach,” she said in her Dec. 31 statement.

“I hope my legacy is one of being a strong representative—responding to people’s concerns, and their hopes and aspirations for our province, advocating for economic growth, limited and fiscally-responsible government, and making life better for Albertans.”