Lack of Indigenous consultation, merits of new Churchill Falls deal debated Day 2 of special sitting

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeAtlantic CanadaNewfoundland & LabradorNewsCanada Lack of Indigenous consultation, merits of new Churchill Falls deal debated Day 2 of special sitting “I think right now we're in a position where there's significant investments by a federal government, and Newfoundland and Labrador needs to be part of that,” said NL Premier Tony Wakeham Author of the article: By Nicholas Mercer Published Sep 16, 2026 7 minute read Officials from the federal government answered questions from NL politicians as the second day of the special debate around the new Churchill Falls MOU got underway on Sept. 15. PHOTO BY NICHOLAS MERCER/THE TELEGRAM Article content It was another day at the House of Assembly in St. John’s, and another day when NL politicians debated the merits of the latest Churchill Falls deal. Article content As the shadow of Keith Russell’s defection from the Conservative Party to sit as an Independent MHA loomed over the proceedings, representatives got the chance to ask questions of the federal government, Power Advisory and JP Morgan as they sought a better understanding of the deal the province recently signed with Quebec. Article content Article content Article content Through those questions, politicians sought answers on the federal loan guarantee at the centre of the MOU’s federal support, how much previous involvement they had, how it compares to the 2024 MOU signed by the Liberals and their expectations for the mega project. Article content They also focused on any price escalation tied to Gull Island, Innu Nation consultation, which deal — 2024 or 2026 — held more merit, and the fear of just rehashing the 1969 Churchill Falls deal. Article content “I move forward with confidence that we have made a deal, made an agreement that does provide more power to build more energy, to build more industries, more transmission, and more value for our province,” said Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham. Article content Premier Tony Wakeham speaks to reporters on the first day of the special debate on the Churchill Falls in the House of Assembly. PHOTO BY KEITH GOSSE/THE TELEGRAM Article content How are the feds involved? Article content The federal government’s involvement in Churchill Falls comes in the form of a $30 billion investment through financial support and investments in the project, which also includes Gull…