Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to visit St. John’s on Monday to join Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham and Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette for a significant announcement focusing on energy security and economic development.
There has been increasing discussion about a potential new agreement concerning Churchill Falls energy in recent days. Radio-Canada has confirmed that Fréchette is en route to Newfoundland to finalize the deal.
On Saturday evening, 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 Monday meeting.
Hydro-Québec has also issued a press release inviting journalists to a closed briefing on Monday at 11 a.m. regarding an announcement on Quebec’s energy security, to be led by Dave Rhéaume, Hydro-Québec’s executive vice-president.
Additionally, Natural Resources Canada has announced a media technical briefing in Ottawa at 10:30 a.m. to provide further details.
Although specific information is limited, Wakeham’s office has confirmed that the announcement will take place at 1:45 p.m. in St. John’s. In a late update on Sunday, it was announced that Prime Minister Carney will also attend the event.
Sources familiar with the new agreement, who are not authorized to speak publicly, have disclosed that the deal will guarantee transmission access of 985 megawatts through Quebec, allowing Newfoundland and Labrador to sell up to that amount to external markets. The agreement is expected to provide Quebec with around 10,000 megawatts and Newfoundland and Labrador with at least 2,350 megawatts, potentially increasing to 3,000 megawatts.
To achieve this boost in electricity production, both provinces have agreed to enhance the hydroelectric facility at Gull Island and increase the turbine capacity at the existing Churchill Falls plant. Notably, the new agreement will also incorporate wind power, a component absent from the previous memorandum signed in 2024.
The energy announcement in St. John’s on Monday is poised to be a pivotal moment for energy collaboration between the provinces.