Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit St. John’s on Monday to hold discussions with Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham and Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette concerning energy security and economic development. There has been increasing talk about a potential new agreement on Churchill Falls energy in recent days. Fréchette’s visit to Newfoundland to finalize the deal has been confirmed by Radio-Canada.
In preparation for the announcement, 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, on Monday. Hydro-Québec also issued a press release inviting reporters to a closed-door briefing on Quebec’s energy security at 11 a.m. The briefing will be led by Dave Rhéaume, Hydro-Québec’s executive vice-president.
Additionally, a media technical briefing by Natural Resources Canada is scheduled in Ottawa at 10:30 a.m. Wakeham’s office has disclosed limited details about the announcement, revealing only that it will take place at 1:45 p.m. in St. John’s. Prime Minister Carney will also be in attendance, as confirmed by his office on Sunday.
Sources with firsthand knowledge, speaking on condition of anonymity, have revealed key details about the new agreement. It includes guaranteed transmission access of 985 megawatts through Quebec, allowing Newfoundland and Labrador to sell up to that amount to external markets. The deal also promises a significant increase in electricity supply for both provinces compared to the previous understanding, with Quebec potentially receiving around 10,000 megawatts and Newfoundland and Labrador receiving between 2,350 and 3,000 megawatts.
To achieve the boost in electricity production, the agreement involves the development of a more powerful hydroelectric facility at Gull Island and the enhancement of turbine capacity at the existing Churchill Falls plant. Notably, the new deal incorporates wind power, a component absent from the previous memorandum of understanding signed in 2024.
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