Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to visit St. John’s on Monday for a significant meeting with Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham and Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette to make an important announcement related to energy security and economic development.
Discussions regarding a new agreement on Churchill Falls energy have intensified in recent days. Fréchette’s visit to Newfoundland has been confirmed by Radio-Canada for the signing of a forthcoming agreement.
Wakeham’s office released a statement confirming the attendance 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 for reporters on Quebec’s energy security, to be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, with Dave Rhéaume, Hydro-Québec’s executive vice-president of energy and regulatory strategy and industrial activities.
Additionally, Natural Resources Canada has scheduled a media technical briefing in Ottawa at 10:30 a.m. on Monday.
The announcement is set for 1:45 p.m. in St. John’s, as confirmed by Wakeham’s office. In a late update on Sunday, it was revealed that Prime Minister Carney will also be present at the event.
Sources familiar with the new agreement, who are not authorized to speak publicly, have disclosed some key details. The deal includes a guaranteed transmission access of 985 megawatts through Quebec, enabling Newfoundland and Labrador to sell up to that capacity to external markets.
Reported by Radio-Canada, both provinces are expected to receive significantly more electricity compared to the previous understanding. Quebec may receive approximately 10,000 megawatts, while Newfoundland and Labrador could obtain between 2,350 to 3,000 megawatts.
To achieve the increased electricity production, the agreement entails the development of a more powerful hydroelectric facility at Gull Island and enhancing the turbine capacity at the existing Churchill Falls plant.
Furthermore, the new agreement encompasses wind power, a feature not included in the 2024 memorandum of understanding signed by former Newfoundland and Labrador premier Andrew Furey and former Quebec premier François Legault.
