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, focusing on an important announcement related to energy security and economic development.
Recent discussions surrounding a potential new agreement on Churchill Falls energy have intensified in the past week. It has been confirmed by Radio-Canada that Fréchette is heading to Newfoundland to finalize an agreement.
In response to the developments, Wakeham’s office released a statement late on Saturday confirming the attendance of Fréchette, along with Quebec’s Energy Minister Bernard Drainville and Hydro-Québec’s President and CEO, Claudine Bouchard, at the upcoming meeting on Monday.
Hydro-Québec also issued a news release inviting reporters to a closed-door briefing the following day to discuss an announcement concerning Quebec’s energy security. The briefing will include Dave Rhéaume, Hydro-Québec’s executive vice-president of energy and regulatory strategy and industrial activities.
Additionally, a media technical briefing is scheduled to take place in Ottawa at 10:30 a.m. NT, as announced by Natural Resources Canada.
While specific details remain limited, Wakeham’s office confirmed that the announcement will be made in St. John’s at 1:45 p.m. NT. Furthermore, the Prime Minister’s office has confirmed that Prime Minister Carney will also be in attendance.
Sources with direct knowledge, who are not authorized to speak publicly, have disclosed some details regarding the new agreement. The agreement includes a guaranteed transmission access of 985 megawatts through Quebec, allowing Newfoundland and Labrador to sell up to that amount to external markets. Moreover, both provinces are expected to receive significantly more electricity compared to the previous memorandum of understanding, with Quebec potentially receiving around 10,000 megawatts and Newfoundland and Labrador receiving at least 2,350 megawatts, possibly up to 3,000.
To enhance electricity production, both parties have agreed to develop a more powerful hydroelectric facility at Gull Island and increase the generating capacity of turbines at the existing Churchill Falls plant. Notably, the new agreement also incorporates wind power, which was not part of the previous agreement signed in 2024.
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