From left: Prime Minister Mark Carney, federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier John Hogan meet with dockworkers at an event in St. John’s on Monday. Carney and Hogan later met to discuss energy opportunities in N.L. (Heather Gillis/CBC)
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier John Hogan says Prime Minister Mark Carney is well aware of the potential of two energy megaprojects being undertaken in the province, and is eager to see them develop quickly.
Hogan, along with energy sector stakeholders like Energy NL, met with Carney for around an hour during Carney’s visit to St. John’s on Monday.
“He’s well aware Newfoundland and Labrador has a lot to offer. As he said today, Canada has a lot of offer the world. And what I said to him is that Newfoundland and Labrador has a lot to offer Canada,” Hogan told reporters Monday evening.
Hogan said several ideas were discussed, but talks centred around two projects — Equinor’s Bay du Nord project and the new Churchill Falls deal currently being negotiated between Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec, including the development of Gull Island.
Carney showed keen interest in both, Hogan said, given his commitment to ‘nation-building’ projects and, in particular, what the Churchill Falls deal could mean for Newfoundland and Labrador and the country.
“He’s very aware of that, and he’s anxious to get these projects moving as fast as we can,” he said.
The Churchill Falls memorandum of understanding between the provinces, Hydro-Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro remains in the negotiation stage to reach a full deal.
Leaders have set a target for that to happen by April 2026, but Hogan has stated that any deal can stand on its own without federal support.
While something like a federal loan guarantee isn’t on the cards, he added it’s exciting to see the project is on Carney’s radar.
“If there was a way the federal government can make things move faster, or make it cheaper for NL Hydro, then we’re certainly welcome to those discussions. The only caveat being if they’re prepared to do anything for Hydro-Quebec, they just need to be equal opportunity,” Hogan said.
Energy N.L. CEO Charlene Johnson, left, and Hogan say it’s exciting to see both Churchill Falls and Bay du Nord on Carney’s radar. (Mike Simms/CBC)
Energy NL CEO Charlene Johnson told reporters she spoke at length with Carney about the need for offshore oil production to continue — especially at Bay du Nord.
The project has been on hold since 2023, but Equinor said as of June it was aiming to start production in 2031.
Earlier in September, Equinor announced its preferred bidder for the project, Oslo-based BW Offshore.
Johnson said discussions have to continue to make sure Newfoundland and Labrador can become the primary beneficiary.
“This oil is in Newfoundland and Labrador, this needs to an Newfoundlander and Labradorian project,” she said.
Johnson said she was also enthused to hear Carney’s commitment to Bay du Nord and Gull Island, saying it’s something she hasn’t seen from past federal governments.
“If you look at my seven-and-a-half-years here and the previous federal government, it has been a struggle to even hear the word oil,” she said. “I haven’t seen this level of opportunity, this feeling of opportunity, in a very long time.”
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