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

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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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Alberta referendum a notable chapter in long history of grievance with Ottawa

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-20 09:19:12.0
Tags: [Alberta, National, Governance, Energy, Resources, Economy]

In an Alberta referendum where residents voted on 10 government-initiated questions, approximately 76 per cent of voters chose to remain in Canada rather than proceed to a binding referendum on leaving Confederation. The historic vote brought to a head nearly a century of grievances with the federal government, stemming from historical disputes including the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly established in 1935, Pierre Trudeau's National Energy Program (NEP) in the 1980s, the rise of the Reform Party under Preston Manning, pandemic-era public health restrictions, and modern federal policies such as Bill C-69 (Impact Assessment Act), Bill C-48, and the federal carbon tax.

'Canada isn't perfect. But we are the best': Carney rallies Edmonton crowd ahead of Alberta referendum

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-17 03:18:46.0
Tags: [Alberta, National, Governance, Energy]

Prime Minister Mark Carney rallied over five thousand attendees at the Edmonton Expo Centre to campaign for Canadian unity ahead of Alberta's provincial referendum covering five immigration questions, four constitutional questions, and one separation question. Carney highlighted federal nation-building plans centered on Alberta's energy potential, including the Pacific Link pipeline managed through his government's major projects office. Elections Alberta reported a high projected voter turnout of 80 to 85 percent, with over one million ballots cast ahead of advance poll closures and the official referendum vote on Monday.

Warm welcome for Carney in Calgary as Alberta hurtles toward referendum vote

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-15 20:16:48.0
Tags: [Alberta, National, Governance, Immigration, Energy]

Prime Minister Mark Carney campaigned in Calgary and Edmonton ahead of Alberta's upcoming 10-question referendum, urging voters to reject Premier Danielle Smith's proposals regarding immigration, constitutional reform, and provincial powers while remaining in Confederation. Premier Danielle Smith's referendum ballot includes questions concerning provincial jurisdiction over immigration, restrictions and potential fees for accessing social services, constitutional changes, and the abolition of the Senate. Federal and provincial political figures, including Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and groups like Forever Canadian, mobilized across the province as advance polls recorded 174,000 ballots cast on the first day.

Advance voting opens as experts debate meaning of Alberta referendum results

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-12 18:08:35.0
Tags: [Alberta, National, Governance, Immigration, Healthcare, Education, Energy]

Advance voting has opened for the 2026 Alberta Referendum, featuring 10 distinct questions covering immigration, constitutional matters, healthcare and education fees for non-permanent residents, Senate abolition, and a final question on holding a binding referendum to separate from Canada. Elections Alberta reported receiving 650,000 special ballot requests and hired over 44,000 election workers to manage turnout. Meanwhile, the Government of Canada designated the Pacific Link pipeline a project of national interest, and Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized federal unity in opposition to provincial separation.

Prime minister set to be in Alberta for critical last week ahead of referendum

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-11 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Alberta, Governance, Energy, Resources]

Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to visit Alberta during the final week leading up to the province's October 19 referendum on separation from Canada. The federal government recently designated the Pacific Link oil pipeline from Alberta to the British Columbia coast as a project of national interest. Meanwhile, federal officials and Canada's foreign influence commissioner are monitoring allegations of foreign interference, including meetings between pro-separatist organizers and U.S. entities and social media commentary from Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.

Alberta Court of Appeal says Impact Assessment Act is still unconstitutional

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-09 22:16:10.0
Tags: [Alberta, National, Environment, Energy, Resources, Governance]

In a 4-1 decision, the Alberta Court of Appeal ruled that the federal government's Impact Assessment Act (originally passed as Bill C-69) remains unconstitutional because it still grants federal authorities the power to halt projects entirely within provincial jurisdiction based on minimal federal impacts. The legal challenge was brought by Alberta with backing from Ontario and Saskatchewan, following previous rulings by the Supreme Court of Canada. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called on the federal government to accept the ruling and avoid another appeal, while federal officials stated they are reviewing the decision. Meanwhile, the federal government is attempting to transfer energy project reviews to the Canada Energy Regulator through Bill C-39 while maintaining compliance with the Impact Assessment Act.

Liberal MP calls for more safeguards in new bill to fast-track development projects

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-07 22:35:17.0
Tags: [National, British Columbia, Infrastructure, Energy, Environment, Governance]

Liberal MP Patrick Weiler publicly raised concerns in the House of Commons regarding Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, which grants the Carney government sweeping powers to fast-track major infrastructure projects like pipelines, mines, and ports within one year. Weiler flagged shortcomings including excessive ministerial discretion to exempt projects from environmental regulations, compressed timelines limiting Indigenous and public input, and provisions allowing preliminary construction before environmental assessments are complete. The legislation, overseen by Transport Minister and House Leader Steven MacKinnon, is being studied in the House of Commons via a rare legislative committee structure covering its more than 200 clauses. Environmental groups and labour unions have also pushed back against the bill, warning it threatens environmental protections, at-risk species like caribou, and labour standards.

'Canada can work': Premier Smith voted for stay option in referendum, wants Albertans to follow suit

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-07 21:50:20.0
Tags: [Alberta, National, Governance, Energy, Economy]

Ahead of the October 19 referendum, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced she voted for the 'stay' option to remain in Canada and urged residents to follow suit, rejecting a path toward separation. Smith stated that Alberta's relationship with Ottawa has improved under Prime Minister Mark Carney compared to the previous administration, citing federal moves such as declaring the Pacific Link pipeline in the national interest and expanding Department of National Defence operations in Edmonton. Smith argued that while voters should use the ballot's other nine questions—focusing on areas like immigration control, health-care premiums for temporary foreign workers, and constitutional reforms—to secure leverage and provincial autonomy, remaining in Confederation is the best path forward for Alberta.

Internal documents detail Ottawa's economic worries over Alberta referendum

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-03 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Alberta, Economy, Finance, Energy, Governance]

Internal documents from Finance Canada and the Justice Department dated June 2026 reveal federal concerns regarding potential economic impacts from Alberta's October 19 separation referendum, including an estimated $18-billion fiscal shock, corporate head office flight, and potential population outflows. The briefing notes highlight that Alberta accounts for 15 per cent of Canada's national GDP, contributes an average of $18 billion annually in net fiscal transfers between 2022 and 2024, and represents 31 per cent of Canada's exports. Furthermore, federal officials warn that existing federal pension legislation governing the Canada Pension Plan contains flawed language and payout formulas that would likely require Supreme Court interpretation if Alberta attempted to withdraw its assets.