ST. JOHN'S, N.L. 鈥� A draft energy deal with Quebec heralded as a game-changer for indebted Newfoundland and Labrador is heading for a vote tonight in St. John's, N.L.
The Liberal government opened the legislature on Monday for four days of debate about the memorandum of understanding unveiled Dec. 12 between Hydro-Qu茅bec and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.
The debates began with the Opposition Progressive Conservatives and the provincial NDP calling for an independent expert review of the agreement.
As of this morning, the NDP's two members and the two Independents say they'll vote in favour of the province accepting the terms of the tentative deal and continuing negotiations of final agreements.
The draft deal promises to deliver about $227 billion to the provincial treasury, much of it coming from the new rates Hydro-Qu茅bec will pay for power from the Churchill Falls plant over the next five decades.
Newfoundland and Labrador's total budget this year is about $10.4 billion, and the province is carrying a net debt of about $17.7 billion.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 9, 2025.
Sarah Smellie, The Canadian Press
