Newfoundland and Labrador Opposition calls to halt vote on Quebec energy deal
Party leader Tony Wakeham made the demand in the provincial legislature during Day 3 of a four-day debate about the memorandum of understanding unveiled last month between both provinces' public utility companies.
In St. John's, N.L., the Opposition Progressive Conservatives have called on the premier to delay voting on a draft energy agreement with Quebec’s hydro utility until it undergoes an independent review. The request was made by Party Leader Tony Wakeham during the third day of a four-day debate in the provincial legislature on the memorandum of understanding revealed last month between the public utility companies of both provinces.
Wakeham argued that an independent review would fulfill recommendations from a public inquiry into the troubled Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project in Labrador, which was completed in 2023 after years of delays and significant cost overruns.
In response, Liberal House Leader John Hogan stated that any projects in the agreement impacting ratepayers would be examined by the province’s utility board—something that was not done with Muskrat Falls.
Premier Andrew Furey has promised to form an independent expert panel to offer guidance as Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro negotiates with Hydro-Quebec on a finalized agreement, expected in 2026.
A vote on the early draft of the deal, which would require Hydro-Quebec to pay significantly more for electricity from the Churchill Falls plant and develop additional hydroelectric projects with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, is scheduled for Thursday night.
