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 about an upcoming announcement related to energy security and economic development.
Recent talks regarding a potential new agreement concerning Churchill Falls energy have gained momentum in the past week. Fréchette is confirmed to be traveling to Newfoundland for the signing of the 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 for the event on Monday.
Hydro-Québec also announced a closed-door briefing scheduled for Monday at 11 a.m., addressing Quebec’s energy security. The briefing will be led by Dave Rhéaume, Hydro-Québec’s executive vice-president.
Additionally, Natural Resources Canada disclosed that a media technical briefing will take place in Ottawa at 10:30 a.m.
Few details have been shared by Wakeham’s office, except for the announcement’s timing at 1:45 p.m. in St. John’s. The Prime Minister’s office later stated that Carney will also be present at the event.
The new agreement, based on insider information, includes a guaranteed transmission access of 985 megawatts through Quebec, enabling Newfoundland and Labrador to sell up to that capacity to external markets. It is reported that each province will receive a significantly larger amount of electricity compared to the previous memorandum of understanding.
Under the new terms, Quebec is expected to receive around 10,000 megawatts, while Newfoundland and Labrador could receive between 2,350 and 3,000 megawatts. The agreement involves the expansion of hydroelectric facilities at Gull Island and an increase in the generating capacity of turbines at the Churchill Falls plant.
Moreover, the agreement includes provisions for wind power, which was not included in the previous agreement signed in 2024.
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