Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham has firmly rejected the possibility of reopening an energy agreement with Quebec aimed at expanding hydroelectric development along the Churchill River in Labrador.
Wakeham said his government had already approved the non-binding proposal and would not consider changes to the deal. He made the statement on Wednesday while responding to questions about whether final agreements would be signed before legislative discussions.
His comments come amid uncertainty over the position of Quebec’s newly elected Parti Québécois government, which could potentially seek amendments to the multibillion-dollar arrangement. However, Wakeham said he had received no indication that Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon intended to request changes.
The proposed agreement, described by the Newfoundland and Labrador government as a cooperation and implementation framework, involves Hydro-Québec and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro working together to increase the Churchill River’s hydroelectric production capacity.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has described the initiative as the largest clean energy investment in North American history. His government has also pledged $10 billion in financing to support the development.
Meanwhile, the proposal has sparked criticism from the Innu Nation, whose traditional territory includes the areas targeted for development. Grand Chief Jodie Ashini said the Indigenous community was excluded from negotiations despite the potential impact of the projects on its ancestral lands.
Ashini questioned the government’s claims of respectful engagement, arguing that discussions about Innu territory should not take place without Indigenous representatives being included. She urged provincial and federal leaders to visit Sheshatshiu and engage directly with the community.
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