Latest news with #NewfoundlandandLabradorHydro
CTV News
10-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Hydro-Québec suspends work at planned electric station in Labrador amid protests
Signs are shown in this handout photo at the site of a tentatively planned hydroelectric development at Gull Island in Labrador on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. Quebec's hydro utility says it has suspended work at the site amid protests by some residents. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Innu Accountability Coalition ST. JOHN'S — Quebec's hydro utility said Thursday it has suspended work at a planned hydroelectric station in traditional Innu territory in Labrador amid protests by some residents. Hydro-Québec spokesperson Lynn St-Laurent said the utility is monitoring the situation in the Gull Island area with a commitment to understanding the demonstrators' concerns. 'We recognize the cultural, historical, and spiritual importance of the Gull Island territory for Innu communities,' St-Laurent said in an email. 'We respect the right of community members to express their concerns.' Hydro-Québec said earlier this week it was set to begin geotechnical and environmental studies in the area, in preparation for future construction work. The utility announced a tentative agreement last year with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro to build a hydroelectric generating station at Gull Island, along the Churchill River in Labrador. The power companies are still hammering out binding deals, and Hydro-Québec said in a news release that the studies are 'necessary for the signing of the final agreement.' The river cuts through the traditional Innu region of Nitassinan, which includes parts of eastern Quebec and much of southern Labrador. Hydro-Québec said last month it had signed an agreement in principle to end a lawsuit launched in 2020 by the Innu Nation in Labrador. The suit sought compensation from the utility for building and operating the Churchill Falls hydroelectric station, also on the Churchill River, on traditional Innu land. As part of the draft deal, Hydro-Québec said it would make annual payments over 16 years totalling $87 million to the Innu in Labrador, according to a press release. The Innu Nation represents the two Innu First Nations in Labrador: The Sheshatshiu Innu Nation, in the central Labrador town of Sheshatshiu, and the Mushuau Innu First Nation in Natuashish, a fly-in community along Labrador's northeast coast. Hydro-Québec did not say Thursday when work at Gull Island would resume. 'We will continue the dialogue initiated with community representatives to better understand their concerns and to discuss next steps in a spirit of mutual respect,' St-Laurent said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 10, 2025.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hydro-Québec suspends work at planned electric station in Labrador amid protests
ST. JOHN'S — Quebec's hydro utility says it has suspended work at the site of a planned hydroelectric station at Gull Island in Labrador amid protests by some residents. A Hydro-Québec spokesperson says the utility is monitoring the situation with a commitment to understanding the demonstrators' concerns. Lynn St-Laurent says in an email that Hydro-Québec recognizes the cultural and historical importance of the Gull Island area for Innu communities. The utility announced a tentative agreement last year with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro to build a hydroelectric generating station at Gull Island, a site on the Churchill River in Labrador. Hydro-Québec said earlier this week it was set to begin geotechnical and environmental studies in the area, in preparation for future construction work. A news release said the studies are to collect environmental and other data to inform final negotiations on the project between the two state-owned utilities. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 10, 2025. The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Global News
12-06-2025
- Business
- Global News
Energy talks ‘full steam ahead' despite Hydro‑Québec chief's new gig: N.L. Hydro
The upcoming departure of the CEO of Quebec's hydro utility won't interfere in final negotiations on a new energy deal with Newfoundland and Labrador. That's according to Jennifer Williams, chief executive of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. Williams says the major agreement between the two utilities is moving 'full steam ahead' despite Michael Sabia's plans to leave Hydro‑Québec in July and become clerk of the Privy Council in Ottawa. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Sabia and Williams led teams who negotiated an end to a 1969 contract that allowed Hydro‑Québec to buy the bulk of the power from the Churchill Falls generating station in Labrador for rock-bottom prices. Under a new draft agreement Hydro‑Québec will pay far more for power and develop new projects on the Churchill River alongside Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. Hydro-Québec says Sabia established a 'genuine partnership' with Newfoundland and Labrador, and its 'seasoned executive team' will continue to carry out the utility's plans.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Quebec, Newfoundland energy touts Canadian independence to Trump: Hydro‑Québec CEO
ST. JOHN'S — The chief executive of Hydro‑Québec says a sweeping new energy deal with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is a signal to the United States that Canada can get "big things done." Michael Sabia was in St. John's, N.L., Tuesday, where he pitched the draft deal as a turning point in Quebec's relationship with Newfoundland and Labrador, and a step toward Canada becoming an "energy superpower." "Let's be clear: Canada is under threat," Sabia told a room full of representatives from Newfoundland and Labrador's energy industry. "This is a time of real economic and political uncertainty. It's a time when Canadians need to work together to build the future," he said. "Ultimately, that's what this deal is about. It's about building now to secure Canada's energy future." Sabia was speaking to the crowd at a conference held by Energy N.L., Newfoundland and Labrador's energy industry association. He was joined on stage by Jennifer Williams, president and chief executive of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. The two discussed an agreement in principle announced last year that would end a contract signed in 1969 that allows Hydro‑Québec to buy the lion's share of the energy from the Churchill Falls hydroelectric plant at prices far below market value. The contract has long been a source of bitterness in Canada's easternmost province. The new arrangement would end the contentious deal 16 years early and see Hydro‑Québec pay for more power while developing new projects with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro along the Churchill River. Newfoundland and Labrador would also get more power from Churchill Falls. The memorandum of understanding has its critics. The Opposition Progressive Conservatives have been uneasy with the draft deal, demanding the Liberal government have it independently reviewed. The party also called for a halt to ongoing negotiations of final contracts, saying a proposed national energy corridor could bring better opportunities. Some in Newfoundland and Labrador have also wondered if Hydro‑Québec can be trusted and whether the province will truly get enough value for its resources. "Show me a deal where there hasn't ever been skeptics," Williams challenged when asked about those who have criticisms. Sabia addressed the tangled history of the provinces several times, and said repeatedly that the new arrangement was "balanced" and served the needs of both Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec. Both sides made concessions, he said, adding that the deal contained items neither side wanted. He refused to elaborate on what those were. Sabia said the agreement is the "single most important signal we can send to the United States right now," as long as it goes ahead as planned. Williams agreed the proposed projects need to proceed smoothly and quickly, repeating "rigour and speed are not incompatible." Both said they were heartened by signs from Prime Minister Mark Carney that he would speed up project approvals. Williams touted the deal's promised economic benefits, which includes $17 billion in revenue to the provincial treasury by 2041. Newfoundland and Labrador expects to be carrying a net debt of $19.4 billion by the end of the current fiscal year. "We have to take this opportunity now," Williams told reporters after the event. "If we don't, something this momentous may not come again for a very long time, and who will we have to blame? We have got to take this moment on." Officials hope to have final agreements hammered out next year. In the meantime, preliminary topographic and soil studies are expected to begin in Labrador this summer, Sabia said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2025. The Canadian Press
Global News
03-06-2025
- Business
- Global News
Quebec, Newfoundland energy touts Canadian independence to Trump: Hydro‑Québec CEO
The chief executive of Hydro‑Québec says a sweeping new energy deal with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is a signal to the United States that Canada can get 'big things done.' Michael Sabia told an energy conference in St. John's, N.L., that Canada's sovereignty was under threat from U.S. President Donald Trump. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Sabia says the draft deal will strengthen the country's energy security and independence — as long as it goes ahead as planned. A contract signed in 1969 allows Hydro‑Québec to buy most of the power from the Churchill Falls hydroelectric plant in Labrador for prices well below market value. A new tentative agreement unveiled last year would end that contract and see Hydro‑Québec pay for more power while developing new projects with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro along the Churchill River. Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro president Jennifer Williams agreed the proposed projects need to proceed smoothly and quickly, repeating 'rigour and speed are not incompatible.'
