Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to visit St. John’s on Monday to discuss energy security and economic development with Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham and Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette. Talks regarding a fresh agreement on Churchill Falls energy have intensified recently, with Radio-Canada confirming Fréchette’s visit to Newfoundland to finalize a deal.
Wakeham’s office announced that Fréchette, Quebec’s Energy Minister Bernard Drainville, and Hydro-Québec’s president and CEO Claudine Bouchard will be present at the meeting on Monday. Hydro-Québec separately invited reporters to a closed-door briefing on Quebec’s energy security, to be held at 11 a.m. with Hydro-Québec’s executive vice-president Dave Rhéaume.
Furthermore, Natural Resources Canada disclosed that a media technical briefing will take place in Ottawa at 10:30 a.m. Wakeham’s office revealed limited details, only confirming the announcement’s timing at 1:45 p.m. in St. John’s. The Prime Minister’s office later announced Carney’s attendance at the event.
Insider sources revealed key aspects of the new agreement, indicating a guaranteed transmission access of 985 megawatts through Quebec. This allows Newfoundland and Labrador to sell up to that capacity to external markets. Additionally, both provinces are set to receive significantly more electricity compared to the previous understanding, with Quebec potentially receiving around 10,000 megawatts and Newfoundland and Labrador between 2,350 to 3,000 megawatts.
To achieve this boost in electricity production, the parties have agreed to enhance the hydroelectric facility at Gull Island and increase the generating capacity at the Churchill Falls plant. The revised deal also incorporates wind power, a new addition not present in the previous memorandum signed in 2024.
For more news updates, download the free CBC News app and subscribe to push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Stay informed with our daily headlines newsletter and visit our landing page for ongoing coverage.