Legault and Faurie discuss “possible partnerships” in hydropower

The two were meeting each other in person for the first time. They discussed the various possibilities available to them in the energy sector, without entering into formal negotiations.

When he left the meeting, Prime Minister Faury told reporters that he understood that some residents of his province were reluctant to the idea of ​​rapprochement with Quebec over hydropower.

I can already imagine people dusting off their keyboard to type panic messages after this confrontation. I want to reassure them: No specific details were mentioned in light of a possible agreementAlfrey told reporters in a virtual conference after the meeting.

same [s’il y avait eu un accord]We’ll be very transparent about that, and we’ll make sure everyone understands that it’s in the best interests of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Churchill Falls Profile

The two counties already experienced the blow, in 1969, during a partnership between Hydro-Quebec and the Churchill Falls Project. However, this decade is still frowned upon in Newfoundland and Labrador, as many consider it to be so unfair And Unfavorable.

The agreement, which has brought nearly $28 billion in profits so far to Quebec City compared to just $2 billion for Newfoundland and Labrador, is still in effect and has escaped numerous court challenges.

Monday’s meeting came days after some media reported the signing of an agreement in the Churchill Falls case, in which Hydro-Quebec will pay $25 million to its neighboring county.

When asked about Mr Legault’s reaction to this agreement, Mr Faury said that as Prime Minister of Quebec his counterpart Represents Quebec’s interests, clearly.

But I think we both agree that this is not a very balanced deal, he added.

On Monday, the Premier Legault’s office indicated by email that the boycott will continue to do so Working with Newfoundland to find energy opportunities.

We are partners. Our vision is ambitious: to make Quebec a battery for eastern North America, we simply said, an excuse Do not comment on the Prime Minister’s private meetings.

Fears that a scenario similar to the 1969 deal would repeat itself in Newfoundland and Labrador surfaced in May, when Premier Furey’s economic stimulus team recommended selling the province’s hydroelectric resources, including Churchill Falls, to the highest bidder.

Mr Fury indicated that the Churchill Falls facilities belong to his county and that when the contract with Hydro-Quebec expires in 2041, Newfoundland and Labrador will be the primary operator.

It fueled fears of the Muskrat Falls saga

François Legault’s government did not specify whether the Muskrat Falls project had been discussed on Monday.

Photo: Nalcor

Another point of contention is that the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project sparked controversy before the start of the current federal election campaign.

A few weeks before the federal election was called, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a agreement in principle which is making a new federal contribution of $5.2 billion to help Newfoundland and Labrador cover the costs of its Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project, which has increased 77% since it was announced in 2012.

Bloc of Quebec, the Liberal Party of Quebec and the Party of Quebec denounce This is federal funding, because they see it as unfair competition for Hydro-Québec.

Mr. Legault wrote on Twitter: Good meeting this morning with Andrew, Prime Minister of Newfoundland and Labrador, who is visiting Quebec. We discussed possible partnerships in the hydropower and mining sectors.

However, the Prime Minister’s Office did not say if the liqueur Falls project was discussed during the meeting.