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. They are expected to make a joint announcement related to energy security and economic development.
Recent talks surrounding a potential new agreement on Churchill Falls energy have gained momentum. Quebec’s involvement was confirmed by Radio-Canada, with Fréchette set to sign the agreement in Newfoundland.
The office of Premier Wakeham 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 issued a separate announcement inviting reporters to a closed-door briefing the following day on Quebec’s energy security. The briefing will involve Hydro-Québec’s executive vice-president of energy and regulatory strategy and industrial activities, Dave Rhéaume.
Additionally, a media technical briefing by Natural Resources Canada is planned in Ottawa before the main announcement in St. John’s.
Although details are limited, Wakeham’s office confirmed the announcement will take place at 1:45 p.m. NT, with a late confirmation that Prime Minister Carney will also be in attendance.
The new agreement, as per undisclosed sources, guarantees transmission access of 985 megawatts through Quebec, enabling Newfoundland and Labrador to sell up to that capacity to external markets. The deal is expected to increase electricity allocations significantly for both provinces compared to the previous memorandum of understanding.
Under the new terms, Quebec may receive approximately 10,000 megawatts, while Newfoundland and Labrador could secure between 2,350 and 3,000 megawatts. The agreement also involves the development of a more powerful hydroelectric facility at Gull Island and enhancing the generating capacity of turbines at the Churchill Falls plant.
This updated agreement also incorporates wind power, a component absent in the previous memorandum signed in 2024 by former Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey and former Quebec Premier François Legault.