Legault’s Quebec-NL power line proposal not in national interest: federal source

The project that Quebec Premier François Legault chose to present at the premiers’ meeting being held Monday in Saskatoon may not meet the criteria established by the federal government.

In the days before the meeting, Legault announced he would ask Ottawa for at least $2 to $3 billion to build a transmission line between Quebec City and Newfoundland and Labrador.

“It’s between two provinces, so it fits the criteria,” he said. “Carney said he wanted to invest in major economic projects. I have a lot of major projects.”

“In Saskatoon, I’m going to try to sell some of these projects, try to convince Mark Carney, the federal government, to bring as much money as possible to Quebec.”

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However, this proposed power line between two provinces would not meet the criteria established by Carney, according to a well-placed source in the federal government.

For a project to be selected and prioritized, it must be of “national interest,” meaning it must affect four or five provinces, it was explained.

In total, some 20 projects will be presented to Mark Carney on Monday.

Pipeline through Quebec?

Earlier Monday, the possibility of building an oil pipeline in the name of “national unity” was on everyone’s lips.

All governments, with the exception of Quebec and British Columbia, agreed with the principle of an oil pipeline to allow oil exports, particularly to Asia.

At most, Quebec promised to study a possible pipeline project that would cross its territory.

In a press briefing, Legault indicated he did not intend to make any particular effort to attract a private developer who could propose an oil pipeline project.

“That’s not up to me,” he said. “We’ll have to see if there is a private developer.”

Several scenarios are on the table. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith indicated that to maximize her chances of success, she would prioritize a route connecting British Columbia to Hudson Bay.

This route, which would not pass through Quebec, risks disappointing; New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt reaffirmed that her province is committed to providing a port for oil exports.

“We’re really interested in having a pipeline connect Canada from coast to coast to coast, so that all of Canada can benefit from its resources,” she said in a press briefing.

According to Holt, “the private sector is watching what’s happening with great interest.”

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews