New Brunswick’s surplus power sales to U.S. could close Irving Paper, firm warns

This article is new today!

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-30 15:32:23.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Energy, Industry, Economy, Governance]

J.D. Irving Ltd. executive Mark Mosher warned that a policy change by New Brunswick's Crown-owned electric utility, NB Power, could force the closure of the Irving Paper mill and increase operational costs by an estimated $10 million annually. The policy shift allows NB Power to sell its excess surplus electricity to out-of-province and U.S. buyers at market rates first, forcing in-province industrial clients to rely on more expensive excess power. Energy Minister Rene Legacy stated that the provincial Liberal government will not intervene or reverse the regulatory decision, leaving the matter to be reviewed through an application submitted by J.D. Irving Ltd. to the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board.

MLAs call on N.W.T. gov't to offer more support for residents facing high fuel costs

This article is new today!

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-30 11:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Affordability, Energy, Governance]

The Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a motion on Thursday, developed by the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight, urging the territorial government to increase home heating subsidies and expand financial incentives for converting to energy-efficient alternative heating appliances. Driven by a global spike in heating oil prices following the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, regular MLAs criticized current programs as insufficient given that roughly half of Northwest Territories households rely on diesel as their primary heat source. Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek noted the timing aligns with the upcoming territorial budget cycle and acknowledged gaps in existing wood pellet conversion and senior heating subsidy programs, while pointing out that public housing and income assistance clients already receive full heating coverage. The territorial government now has 120 days to formally respond to the motion.

Yukon gov't not swayed by petition to demand investigation into power utilities' billing practices

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-29 01:44:22.0
Tags: [National, Energy, Affordability, Governance]

Yukon Energy Minister Ted Laking has declined an opposition petition urging the government to use Section 18 of the Public Utilities Act to order the Yukon Utilities Board to investigate ATCO Electric Yukon and the Yukon Energy Corporation over billing discrepancies. The petition, signed by 1,101 people and tabled by NDP justice critic Carmen Gustafson, called for an independent probe into billing practices between July 2025 and July 2026 following months of customer complaints related to a 2023 billing system transition. Instead of a regulator-led investigation funded by taxpayers, the territorial government previously directed ATCO Electric Yukon to hire its own independent third-party auditor to investigate the billing issues.

Provincial Government Opens Public Engagement on New Climate Change Action Plan

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-28 17:30:40.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Environment, Climate, Energy, Governance]

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through the Department of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change led by Minister Andrea Barbour, has launched public engagement for its upcoming five-year 2027-2032 Climate Change Action Plan. Hosted on the EngageNL platform, the initiative gathers public and stakeholder input on climate mitigation, adaptation, disaster resilience, environmental awareness, and municipal preparedness to support the province's transition to net-zero emissions by 2050. Written submissions, emails, and online questionnaires will be accepted until November 26, 2026, alongside targeted sessions with Indigenous Governments and Organizations, municipalities, and industry stakeholders.

Premier Announces Key Addition to Negotiating Team and Next Steps for Churchill Falls Agreement

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-28 16:15:00.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Energy, Infrastructure, Resources, Governance]

Premier Tony Wakeham and Minister of Energy and Mines Lloyd Parrott announced that Barry Perry is transitioning to Special Advisor while Gary Smith, former President and CEO of Newfoundland Power and Executive Vice-President at Fortis Inc., will take over as lead negotiator for the Churchill Falls and Gull Island agreement. The updated agreement with Quebec and the Government of Canada is projected to deliver 760 megawatts of additional power, 985 megawatts of guaranteed transmission portfolio, and an estimated $273 billion in total nominal value over its lifetime. The completed definitive agreements will subsequently be tabled in the House of Assembly for technical briefings and a special legislative debate.

N.W.T. minister says territory has few choices when it comes to ending net metering

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-28 00:20:19.0
Tags: [National, Energy, Environment, Governance]

The Northwest Territories Power Corporation and Naka Power are petitioning the Northwest Territories Public Utilities Board to replace the current net metering system for independent solar power producers with a net billing model. Under the proposed structure, self-generators sending excess power to the grid would receive bill credits instead of a direct 1-to-1 compensation model, a change prompted by territorial government policy directives aimed at addressing projected annual utility net revenue losses estimated between $1.8 million and $2.7 million by 2030. Industry representatives like Mitch Dentinger of N.W.T. Solar Solutions Ltd. argue that the transition will reduce the financial viability of future residential solar installations and diminish environmental benefits.

UCP to vote on bathroom laws, land acknowledgements, but not separatism

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-27 18:10:54.0
Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Energy, Indigenous, Justice]

Members of Alberta's governing United Conservative Party will debate and vote on 22 policy resolutions at their annual general meeting in Calgary from November 27 to 29, 2026. The proposed resolutions include measures regarding public washroom policies and updates to the Alberta Human Rights Act, the discontinuation of First Nations land acknowledgements and blocking of indigenous land claims, mandatory byelections for floor-crossing MLAs, and opposition to federal net zero and carbon capture mandates. While the party's governing caucus is not bound by the member-approved resolutions, past meetings have resulted in implemented policy and legislative changes under Premier Danielle Smith's administration.

Ontario Future-Proofs Economy by Strengthening Local Utilities

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Energy and Mines
Date: 2026-10-27 15:09:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Energy, Infrastructure, Economy, Governance, Trade]

In response to U.S. tariffs and a projected doubling of electricity demand requiring grid expansions equivalent to adding the City of Toronto every six years, Ontario Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce announced legislative and regulatory reforms targeting the province's 58 local distribution companies (LDCs). Citing Electricity Distributors Association forecasts projecting up to $120 billion in distribution investments over the next two decades, the government's initiatives include driving Buy Ontario and Buy Canada joint procurements, implementing 10-year capital and workforce planning requirements, strengthening the governance of municipally owned LDCs like Oakville Hydro, London Hydro, and Oshawa Power, and enhancing consumer protections by banning winter disconnections for unit sub-meter providers serving multi-unit residential buildings. The reforms follow recommendations from the Panel for Utility Leadership and Service Excellence (PULSE) and are backed by major sector stakeholders including Hydro One, Toronto Hydro, Alectra Inc., Elexicon, and the Ontario Energy Association.

Akaitcho First Nations assembly kicks off in Dettah

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-27 10:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Indigenous, Infrastructure, Energy, Governance, Resources]

The Akaitcho Territory Government held its annual general assembly in Dettah, N.W.T., bringing together leadership from the Deninu Kųę́ First Nation, Łutsel K'e Dene First Nation, Salt River First Nation, Tthebatthie Denesųłiné Nation, and Yellowknives Dene First Nation to discuss shared priorities. The assembly addresses major regional infrastructure projects referred to the federal government's Major Projects Office, including the Arctic Economic and Security Corridor and the Taltson Hydro Expansion, which have faced wavering support and criticism over inadequate consultations from nations like Deninu Kųę́ and Łutsel K'e. Additionally, the assembly follows up on a 2025 initiative by a committee of elders to rename the Great Slave Lake to remove its derogatory historical connotations. Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson and Justice and Environment and Climate Change Minister Jay Macdonald are scheduled to attend.

Minister to Yukon gov’t corporations: no more coal

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-26 11:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Energy, Environment, Mining, Governance]

Yukon Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Ted Laking issued a directive to the Yukon Energy Corporation and the Yukon Development Corporation prohibiting them from pursuing or considering coal-fired power projects. The directive coincided with an opposition motion brought by NDP MLA Carmen Gustafson, which urged the territorial government to direct the Yukon Utilities Board under section 17 of the Public Utilities Act to reject any applications for energy projects using coal. The political debate was prompted by Vancouver-based Strategic Metals proposing a coal exploration project near Braeburn, Yukon, and evaluating coal-fired power generation despite the federal government's mandate to phase out coal-fired power by 2030.

Minister directs Yukon gov’t corporations not to mull over coal-fired power projects

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-26 11:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Energy, Environment, Mining, Governance]

Yukon Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Ted Laking issued a directive instructing the Yukon Development Corporation and the Yukon Energy Corporation to refrain from pursuing or considering coal-fired power generation projects. The ministerial directive coincides with an opposition motion brought by NDP MLA Carmen Gustafson, which urged the territorial government to direct the Yukon Utilities Board under section 17 of the Public Utilities Act to reject any applications for energy projects using coal. The debate highlights ongoing friction surrounding Vancouver-based Strategic Metals' coal exploration project near Braeburn, Yukon, and its potential application for power generation despite federal plans to phase out coal-fired power by 2030.

First Nations want tangible results as 'historic' first ministers' meeting opens

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-26 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Indigenous, Governance, Infrastructure, Energy]

First Nations leaders and Canada's first ministers convened in Ottawa for the first Indigenous rights first ministers meeting in two decades, led by Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak and federal officials. The Assembly of First Nations circulated discussion papers seeking commitments on economic prosperity, policing, constitutional rights, health, and education, alongside a draft 'Declaration of a Shared Path Forward' proposing annual meetings. Grassroots groups, including the Truth Before Reconciliation Network and Onion Lake Cree Nation, staged protests and issued a cease-and-desist notice, arguing that elected chiefs do not adequately represent inherent treaty rights-holders amid rising tensions over major resource infrastructure projects.

Affordability measures, consumer protection legislation coming: Alberta government

Source: Alberta - Provincial Politics
Date: 2026-10-24 00:52:20.0
Tags: [Alberta, Affordability, Technology, Energy, Governance]

Ahead of the Alberta legislative session, Government House Leader Joseph Schow outlined an upcoming suite of bills focused on lowering auto insurance costs, revising utility bill protections, and updating consumer rules for ticket resales and used vehicles. The provincial government under Premier Danielle Smith also plans to introduce new regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence data centres—addressing grid stability, power bills, and water usage following public backlash over a $13-billion Sturgeon County project involving Meta—alongside merit-based public sector hiring rules, bike lane legislation, and stricter illegal dumping penalties.

Alberta government to introduce over a dozen new bills as MLAs return Tuesday

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-23 17:54:21.0
Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Education, Energy, Transportation, Housing]

The United Conservative Party government of Alberta is set to introduce approximately 14 new bills during the fall sitting of the 31st legislature spanning October 27 to December 3, 2026. Key legislative items include overhauling school report cards, updating the compassionate intervention healthcare program, establishing regulatory protections for data centres to safeguard electricity and water supplies, implementing merit-based public sector hiring, and introducing consumer protections for defective vehicles and event ticket resales. Additionally, the legislative session will feature a debate on a new electoral map required to be tabled by November 2 following recommendations from an advisory panel, while the New Democratic Party opposition intends to introduce private members' bills addressing healthcare, affordability, and education.

Q&A | Yukon energy minister says power bills could go up by 53% without federal help

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-22 12:31:09.0
Tags: [National, Energy, Infrastructure, Affordability, Governance]

Yukon Energy Minister Ted Laking announced that Yukon power bills could increase by 53 per cent without federal funding support to address critical power infrastructure upgrades and a projected 60 per cent rise in grid demand over the next decade. Laking is lobbying the federal government in Ottawa for a 75-25 per cent cost-sharing partnership for infrastructure projects, noting that connecting to the British Columbia power grid is estimated to cost over $4 billion, which far exceeds the territorial government's $2 billion annual budget. In response to recent grid capacity strains, the Yukon government has repealed the Clean Energy Act, reallocated electric vehicle rebates toward home energy efficiency and heat pumps, and planned thermal backup generation utilizing Whitehorse Power Centres.

Carney lands in Turkey for meetings with Erdogan, business leaders

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-22 12:12:49.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Economy, Energy, Resources, Governance]

Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Ankara, Turkey, for a three-day official bilateral visit alongside Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson to deepen political, energy, and economic ties. Canada and Turkey currently engage in approximately $4 billion in annual trade and formally launched negotiations for a free-trade agreement on the sidelines of the NATO summit earlier in the year. The delegation's talks focus on diversifying trade beyond the United States and securing global investors for infrastructure and energy projects, following meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and business leaders in Istanbul.

Some of Canada's top scientists push for changes to Carney's new major projects bill

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-22 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, British Columbia, Environment, Infrastructure, Energy, Governance]

More than 50 fellows of the Royal Society of Canada published an open letter urging Parliament to make six significant amendments to Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act. The 243-page bill aims to fast-track major energy and infrastructure projects by establishing a one-year review deadline and pre-approved regions of national interest, while amending over a dozen federal laws including those protecting species at risk, fisheries, and water quality. Scientists, including representatives from the University of British Columbia and Queen's University, warn that eliminating the five-year sunset clause from the original Building Canada Act (Bill C-5) and weakening environmental oversight could drive irreversible harm and species extinction, such as the endangered southern resident orca population. Federal ministers, including Dominic LeBlanc, defended the legislation before a special legislative committee, arguing that clearer timelines and robust oversight can coexist.

Alberta's oilsands regions vote in favour to remain in Canada, unofficial results show

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-21 16:01:43.0
Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Energy]

Unofficial results from the ridings of Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche and Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo in Alberta's oilsands region show that 62.1 per cent of voters (11,683 votes) supported remaining in Canada (Option 1). Meanwhile, 37.9 per cent of voters (7,142 votes) favored Option 2 to hold a binding referendum on separating from Canada. The results are based on 18,825 total votes counted across both ridings, with official results scheduled to be published on the Elections Alberta website on October 29.

Danielle Smith calls for unity after separatism rejected in Alberta referendum

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-21 00:58:00.0
Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Immigration, Economy, Energy]

Alberta voters decisively rejected separation from Canada, with approximately 75 percent voting against leaving in a historic referendum that saw 1.9 million ballots cast. Premier Danielle Smith stated that Alberta will remain a province of Canada and confirmed she will not hold another referendum on the issue during her tenure. Alongside the separatism question, voters passed eight out of nine additional government proposals, including initiatives focused on provincial oversight of immigration, increased limitations or fees for temporary workers accessing health care and education, and requiring proof of citizenship to vote provincially.

Alberta referendum result removes a ‘major’ uncertainty, businesses say

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-20 17:19:30.0
Tags: [Alberta, National, Economy, Governance, Energy]

Following an Alberta referendum where approximately 76 per cent of voters chose to remain in Canada, business leaders from organizations such as the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Business Council of Alberta, and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business reported increased economic certainty and confidence. Prime Minister Mark Carney and federal officials noted the result reinforces national unity alongside major infrastructure initiatives, including the Pacific Coast Pipeline project managed under the federal Major Projects Office. Concurrently, the Canadian dollar rose in value to 71.2 U.S. cents, while provincial separatist leaders announced plans to target Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and the United Conservative Party leadership.