Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to visit St. John’s on Monday to hold discussions with Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham and Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette on matters related to energy security and economic development. Recent talks have intensified regarding a potential new agreement concerning Churchill Falls energy. Fréchette’s visit to Newfoundland for the signing of an agreement has been confirmed by Radio-Canada.
An official statement from Wakeham’s office on Saturday evening confirmed the presence of Fréchette, Quebec’s Energy Minister Bernard Drainville, and Hydro-Québec’s President and CEO, Claudine Bouchard, at the meeting on Monday. Hydro-Québec has also announced a closed-door briefing on Quebec’s energy security to be held on Monday at 11 a.m. with Dave Rhéaume, Hydro-Québec’s executive vice-president.
Additionally, a media technical briefing is set to take place in Ottawa at 10:30 a.m. by Natural Resources Canada. Wakeham’s office has disclosed limited details, mentioning that the announcement is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. in St. John’s. The Prime Minister’s office has confirmed Carney’s attendance at the event.
Sources with inside knowledge, speaking on condition of anonymity, have revealed certain details of the new agreement. The deal includes guaranteed transmission access of 985 megawatts through Quebec, allowing Newfoundland and Labrador to sell up to that capacity to external markets. The provinces are expected to receive a significant increase in electricity compared to the previous memorandum, with Quebec potentially receiving around 10,000 megawatts and Newfoundland and Labrador receiving between 2,350 to 3,000 megawatts.
To boost electricity production, the agreement involves the development of a more powerful hydroelectric facility at Gull Island and enhancing the generating capacity of turbines at the existing Churchill Falls plant. Notably, the new agreement incorporates wind power, which was not included in the previous memorandum signed in 2024.
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