No 'secret agenda': New environment minister responds to Kenney, Notley concerns

Canada's new minister of the environment and climate change responded Wednesday to allegations out of Alberta that he is a "radical environmentalist" who may try to kill jobs in the oilpatch.

Canada's new minister of the environment and climate change responded Wednesday to allegations out of Alberta that he is a "radical environmentalist" who may try to kill jobs in the oilpatch.

Steven Guilbeault, formerly a leader of Greenpeace Quebec and co-founder of Equiterre, was appointed to the position by prime minister Justin Trudeau Tuesday.

A day later, Guilbeault insisted he doesn't have a "secret agenda," saying most of the Liberal government's goals and policies are already known.

"We put a price on pollution, and we will continue to increase this price on pollution. We want more transit, we want more clean energy, we want more renewable energy, and we want less pollution," he told reporters.

Criticism of the appointment came from Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and NDP Leader Rachel Notley, in a rare moment of agreement for the political rivals.

Kenney said he was worried Guilbeault would impose a "radical agenda that would lead to mass unemployment."

"I hope that he will send a signal that he is willing to work constructively and cooperatively with us, as partners, in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while growing the economy," Kenney said.