Scant details about reported Quebec, N.L. energy deal leave parties demanding clarity

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham talks during a news conference at the Confederation Building in St. John’s on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 outlining the results of an independent review of the Churchill Falls Memorandum of Understanding with the Quebec government that was signed in December 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Daly)

Opposition parties in Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador are demanding answers after Montreal paper La Presse reported Wednesday that the provinces had struck an energy deal.

On social media, multiple Quebec opposition party leaders asked Premier Christine Fréchette and her party to release the agreement, saying Quebecers deserve to know if their interests were protected.

• READ MORE: Ottawa, Quebec and N.L. to announce new Churchill Falls deal next week: sources
• READ MORE: Churchill Falls agreement could be jeopardized by Quebec election, minister says

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Liberals and NDP issued statements saying they were frustrated to learn of the latest developments from a media outlet in Quebec, rather than leaders in the province.

The office of Progressive Conservative Premier Tony Wakeham cautioned that nobody has signed final agreements.

However, a spokesperson said in an email that the province had recently made significant progress in its negotiations with Quebec and the government of Canada, though they provided no details about those talks.

• READ MORE: Churchill Falls agreement is coming, says Fréchette, while Wakeham remains cautious

The provinces have been trying to hammer out a deal to share electricity from the Churchill Falls plant in Labrador and to develop more hydroelectric projects along the Churchill River.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 13, 2026.