Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, Monday 14 September 2026
In an extraordinary sitting convened under Standing Order 8(7), the House of Assembly began debate on a resolution to endorse the Definitive Cooperation and Implementation Agreement between Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, Hydro-Québec and Churchill Falls (Labrador) Corporation, along with associated federal commitments. After adopting contested rules of debate (carried 21-17 on division) and following the Member for Lake Melville crossing the floor to sit as an Independent, the House heard opening statements from the Premier, Opposition, Third Party and independents, an address from MP Philip Earle, and began questioning the negotiating team led by Barry Perry. The government tabled the agreement, the Prime Minister's letter, and supporting fact sheets, while opposition parties and independents raised concerns about transparency, the abandoned referendum, pricing structure, and the need for PUB review and Innu Nation support.
Routine Proceedings
Introduction of the resolution and tabling of documents
L. Parrott
The Government House Leader moved the resolution endorsing the Definitive Cooperation and Implementation Agreement and the federal commitments, and tabled the agreement, a letter from Prime Minister Carney dated August 17, 2026, a summary presentation deck and five fact sheets.
Premier's opening statement on the Churchill Falls deal
Premier Wakeham
The Premier presented the agreement as a historic new and better deal, citing 2,750 MW of power, $49 billion in value, $273 billion in cash, 985 MW of transmission access, an 85% person-hours job guarantee, a 15% electricity rebate, federal investments, and ongoing engagement with the Innu Nation, while acknowledging his decision not to hold a referendum.
Leader of the Official Opposition's response
J. Hogan
The Opposition Leader supported developing Gull Island and Churchill Falls but raised concerns about broken trust, the abandoned referendum, lack of transparency around the Independent Review Committee, changes to pricing including removal of escalators, de-escalating Gull Island pricing, limited transmission rights, and that Quebec appears to have improved its position.
Leader of the Third Party's response
J. Dinn
The Third Party leader set out three conditions for support: an independent PUB-engaged review by a top-tier consultant, a final vote in the House on the definitive agreement, and approval from the Innu Nation, while expressing deep trust issues over the government's reversals on the PUB, referendum, and Independent Review Committee.
Minister of Energy and Mines' address
L. Parrott
The Minister of Energy and Mines argued the deal is materially better than the 2024 MOU in every way, criticized 'do-nothing' critics, defended the deal against waiting until 2041, and detailed how the negotiating team addressed each of the five Independent Review Committee recommendations.
Member for Conception Bay East - Bell Island's response
F. Hutton
The Member spoke of the historic emotional weight of Churchill Falls and Muskrat Falls, expressed a lack of trust in the process and the government, and criticized the broken referendum promise, limited debate format, changed pricing, and lack of answers from government Members.
Member for St. John's East - Quidi Vidi's response
S. O'Leary
The Member emphasized transparency concerns, the trust deficit from the broken referendum promise, and reiterated the NDP's three conditions of independent PUB oversight, a final House vote, and full Innu Nation participation, while calling for a broader green energy vision.
Member for Humber - Bay of Islands' response
E. Joyce
The Member reflected on the divisive political atmosphere, historical fear of Quebec, and past deals including Gull Island 2002 and Muskrat Falls, urging Members to keep an open mind, get expert information, and vote with their conscience for the good of the province.
Other business
Opening of extraordinary sitting and welcome of guests
The Speaker
The Speaker opened the extraordinary sitting to debate the Churchill Falls agreement, welcoming Members, Senator David Wells, and members of the public.
Motion on Rules of Debate for the Churchill Falls resolution
L. Parrott
The Government House Leader sought and obtained leave to move a detailed motion setting out four days of debate, speaking-time blocks, questioning of invited guests, daily 30-minute Question Periods and closing remarks, and tabled the Rules of Debate.
Member for Lake Melville crosses the floor
K. Russell
On a point of personal privilege, the Member for Lake Melville announced he would leave the PC caucus and sit as an Independent while retaining conservative values, prompting a recess as the Speaker considered seating arrangements.
Debate on the Rules of Debate motion
Multiple
The Government House Leader defended the structure emphasizing expert witnesses and end-of-day Question Periods, while the Leader of the Official Opposition, the Third Party leader and the Member for St. John's East - Quidi Vidi criticized the rules as restrictive and undemocratic; the motion carried 21-17 on a recorded division.
Point of order on time allocation after floor-crossing
L. Dempster
The Member for Cartwright - L'Anse au Clair and the Member for Lake Melville raised points about whether the debate rules needed adjustment given the changed House composition; the Speaker ruled the debate on the rules had closed.
Division vote on Rules of Debate
The Speaker
A recorded division was held with 21 ayes and 17 nays; the motion carried.
Extension of sitting and reallocation of time to Independent Member
L. Parrott
By consent, the House agreed to extend the sitting to 10 p.m. and, since the resolution could not be amended, the government voluntarily gave up 30 minutes of its questioning time and closing remarks to the new Independent Member for Lake Melville, a move welcomed by the Member for Humber - Bay of Islands.
Address by MP Philip Earle
P. Earle
The Member of Parliament for Labrador addressed the House on behalf of the federal government, describing the agreement as the largest clean energy investment in Canadian history, highlighting $10 billion in federal financing, up to 23,000 peak construction jobs, the Labrador Trough referral to the Major Projects Office, and the importance of Innu Nation partnership.
Presentation and questioning of the negotiating team
B. Perry
Lead negotiator Barry Perry gave a 30-minute presentation on his background, the negotiation process, and terms of the deal including $49 billion NPV, 2,750 MW of power, 985 MW transmission portfolio, escalating PPA prices, the premium tranche, $3.5 billion in federal support and arguments against waiting until 2041; the panel then took questions.
Government questions to negotiating team on power, comparisons and structure
Premier Wakeham
The Premier and Minister of Energy and Mines questioned the panel on power for 5 Wing Goose Bay, differences from the 1969 contract, removal of the 2% escalator and the $30 billion Gull Island debt, the joint-venture ownership structure, the 50-year term, and the premium tranche optionality.
Opposition questions to negotiating team on market-based pricing
J. Hogan
The Leader of the Official Opposition questioned Ms. Williams and Mr. Perry extensively on the removal of Schedule F market-based pricing from the 2024 MOU, whether the province retains exposure to rising electricity markets, and whether abandoning the pricing formula was a significant concession; a point of order arose over multiple panellists answering.
This is Tabled's summary of the sitting, written from the official record; Hansard is only ever quoted at the link above. Search Newfoundland and Labrador Hansard for the words themselves, or read this sitting in the archive.