Latest news with #Hydro‑Québec
Montreal Gazette
13-06-2025
- Business
- Montreal Gazette
Sabia's PMO appointment could boost Indigenous role in resource projects: Kahnawake chief
Canadian Politics By A Kahnawake council chief says Michael Sabia's appointment to the Prime Minister's Office signals Mark Carney is serious about getting resource projects done with Indigenous involvement. In his time as Hydro‑Québec CEO and president, Sabia focused on the company's relationship with Indigenous communities, which Kahnawake council Chief Paul Rice said was historically fraught. 'He had a genuine interest in advancing Indigenous relations with Hydro‑Québec ... and to advance Indigenous participation in major projects,' Rice said about Sabia in an interview. 'The way that Hydro‑Québec got its start (was) pretty much taking the land away from these nations in order to generate power, and then ultimately income. So there's a lot of pain and a lot of bad history between the nations and companies like Hydro‑Québec,' pointing to a historical conflict that arose when Hydro‑Québec established a dam on Cree territory in James Bay. Rice highlighted several projects under Sabia that reflect the company's commitment to Indigenous equity and participation. One notable example is the Hertel-New York interconnection transmission line, which Hydro-Québec signed with the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake in 2024. It marks the utility's first project involving shared ownership of transmission infrastructure with both a third party and a First Nation community. Rice also highlighted Sabia's handling of unpaid hydro bills in certain communities, linking the issue to Hydro-Québec's history of profiting from land taken from Indigenous Nations. He believes Sabia brought in experts to manage the situation more thoughtfully and responsibly. He also cited the council's recent successful bid to become equity partners in the 144-megawatt Les Jardins wind energy project as another sign of progress. 'When they place an importance on Indigenous equity and Indigenous participation in the projects, it really allows us to benefit,' he said in an interview. 'Not just from potential employment ... we're able to benefit tremendously from equity ownership and income.' In addition to collaborating with the Mohawk Nation on major energy projects, Rice noted that Hydro‑Québec donated $10 million to help build a new language and cultural centre. Rice is hopeful that bringing Sabia into the Prime Minister's Office will influence Carney's approach to energy projects, which he has found disappointing so far during Carney's time in office. 'The first big move that the prime minister made was essentially to try to fast track a number of resource projects,' he said, referring to the Liberals' major projects legislation, which grants upfront regulatory approvals and eliminates all federal barriers to interprovincial trade. 'I'm not opposed to resource development and major projects, but the way in which he did it kind of alienated and infuriated a number of nations whose territories those projects are on,' he explained. 'Sabia, through his work at Hydro‑Québec, has empowered nations to be more involved as equity participants in projects.' Rice hopes Sabia's presence in the PMO will push the Liberal government to bring on Indigenous communities early in project planning, as well as consult them openly, involve them in the economics and business side, and make Indigenous equity participation mandatory for resource projects to move forward. Karl Moore, a professor in McGill's Faculty of Management who invites Sabia to speak to his class every year, said Sabia is knowledgeable of the Indigenous communities and their concerns, and will 'absolutely' bring these issues to the table as the clerk. 'He speaks fluent Carney,' Moore said, pointing to Sabia's background in Canada's Department of Finance and his role as Chief Financial Officer at CN Railway, as well as Carney's own deep financial credentials that helped secure his election win. 'Having been in the finance department in Ottawa, he would get what the prime minister's trying to accomplish.'
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.'
Montreal Gazette
30-05-2025
- Business
- Montreal Gazette
T.M.R. businesses say they're taking financial hit as Hydro-Québec project limits access
By Amit Bachar has already lost about $50,000 in revenue for the month of May after construction took over the area where his car wash is located in the Town of Mount Royal. The owner of Details Car Wash said his income has been slashed by nearly half since a Hydro‑Québec project began this spring. The detours and heavy traffic have made it much harder for customers to access his services located on busy Jean-Talon St. and accessible by Lucerne Rd. 'It makes me very sad, very stressed, and it's affecting my life financially and mentally,' Bachar said in an interview Friday afternoon with The Gazette. 'And I feel like they just don't care about us. And it's not fair.' Details Car Wash has been around for nearly 50 years, and Bachar has been running it for 18 years. He said he employs about 20 people, but with fewer cars coming in because of ongoing road closures and detours, he's trying to find ways to keep afloat. One worker has already quit. The Hydro‑Québec project to build an underground transmission line began in late April, but Bachar said he only found out about two weeks before it started. One of his workers was given a verbal notice, he said. Jean-Talon St. was blocked off in front of his business but reopened this week so cars can now more easily exit the car wash. But Lucerne Rd., which is used to access the entrance of the car wash, is down to one lane. It comes during Details Car Wash's busiest time of year, he added. 'The time is so hard already for small businesses. Believe me, there is not a lot of money here,' Bachar said. 'Business down 80 per cent at District Bagel' Other merchants are also feeling squeezed. Shulem Greenwald, owner of District Bagel, said he has lost about 80 per cent of his business in the last week after construction picked up in front of his entrance on Lucerne Rd. He estimated the project has cost him thousands of dollars, noting only a handful of customers popped by for lunch. The detour to access District Bagel is long, he added. 'When you Google it at night, it takes seven extra minutes. But during the day and it's busy in traffic and to detour — probably if somebody wants to come, grab a sandwich or bagel or anything — they'll have to spend an extra 25 minutes just to get to my place,' Greenwald said. Bachar said he understands the necessity of infrastructure projects, but Hydro‑Québec hasn't gone far enough to help. In an email to Bachar this week, a Hydro‑Québec employee pointed to a number of mitigation measures, including signage for local detours and police on site to ease traffic. 'We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Please know that we are within our rights to carry out our work,' the email reads. In an email to The Gazette, Hydro‑Québec described the construction of an underground transmission line to connect two substations as a 'major work.' 'This work will improve the quality of service in a context of increased demand at the Mont-Royal substation,' it wrote, adding the project will be fully completed by the end of summer. It said that mitigation measures were communicated to merchants beforehand and it remains in 'constant contact with the affected businesses.' It also noted work was sped up to free an area near those companies. 'We plan to finish our excavation and paving work on June 6 in this specific area, in order to free up access to the businesses at the corner of Lucerne and Jean-Talon,' Hydro‑Québec said. The end of work can't come soon enough for Bachar, who said he would consider a line of credit against his house or borrow money to keep Details Car Wash open, if needed. 'We work very, very hard,' he said. This story was originally published May 30, 2025 at 5:42 PM.
