This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements, and other government-related news concerning power generation and transmission, wind and solar, utilities, midstream companies, batteries and energy storage, LNG, biofuels, as well as nuclear. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Dates: 2026-03-22 to 2026-03-28

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

Federal Government Allocates $28.9 Million for Carbon Capture, Renewable Energy, and Grid Modernization Projects

On March 27, Natural Resources Canada announced $28.9 million in funding for 12 energy innovation projects under the Energy Innovation Program. The funding covers five projects in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), three in renewable energy, and four in smart grid regulatory innovation and capacity-building. CCUS initiatives include $10 million to Carbon Alpha Corp. in Saskatchewan for seismic technology, and nearly $5 million to Petroleum Technology Research Centre in Regina for CO₂ tracking and storage research. Renewable energy grants include funding for Earthworks Geo Corp. and SolarSteam Inc. in Ontario to pilot solar-agriculture integration and solar thermal for fertilizer production. Smart grid capacity-building projects include $900,000 to CAMPUT for regulator training and $865,725 to Carleton University to produce policy guidance on demand management. These efforts are positioned to accelerate the deployment of new technologies, improve electricity grid flexibility, and support the integration of distributed resources.

Sources: www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca, www.cbc.ca, www.theglobeandmail.com

Saint John, New Brunswick to Receive Nearly $10M for Grid Modernization

The federal government committed nearly $10 million to Saint John Energy to upgrade the local electricity system. Announced March 27 in Saint John, the investment will go towards replacing aging underground infrastructure, boosting power line capacity, and adding outage management and emergency preparedness systems. Additional funding will be used for smart water heater controllers and to shift toward intelligent grid switching technology. These upgrades are expected to support future integration of renewable resources and increase grid resilience, reliability, and cost efficiency for the region.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Budget 2025 Implementation Act (Bill C-15) Receives Royal Assent

Bill C-15, the Budget Implementation Act, 2025, No. 1, has passed and received Royal Assent, introducing major measures impacting the utilities sector. The Act brings forward the Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit (ITC), expands the suite of Clean Economy ITCs supporting technologies like CCUS and renewable manufacturing, and launches a Productivity Super-Deduction for capital investment. Additional provisions include the Strategic Response Fund for sectors affected by US trade actions and the Trade Diversification Corridors Fund to bolster export infrastructure. Notably, these measures aim to accelerate construction of clean energy infrastructure and support supply chain resilience in critical sectors.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Advances Global Energy Leadership at CERAWeek

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson visited CERAWeek 2026 in Houston to meet with US officials and international industry leaders. Discussions with US Secretaries of the Interior and Energy focused on cross-border energy security, investment opportunities, and critical minerals collaboration. The visit included engagement with leaders from companies such as BlackRock, Breakthrough Energy, Equinor, and Shell, centering on investment and partnership in conventional and clean energy development, grid modernization, and the role of Canadian crude exports enabled via pipeline infrastructure. The government is positioning Canada as a central player in North American and global energy markets amid ongoing supply volatility.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Transdev Canada Receives $620,000 to Expand Electric School Bus Planning

Transdev Canada secured over $620,000 from the Zero Emission Transit Fund (ZETF) to develop electrification plans for its school bus fleet in Ontario. The March 24 announcement points to growing federal participation in electrifying transportation, with Transdev operating more than 100 electric school buses nationwide. The funding will support readiness and planning work to facilitate future expansion of zero-emission bus operations.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Government Invests in Rural Alberta Transit Procurements and Planning

Six rural communities in Alberta will benefit from $730,538 in federal funding to support transit acquisitions and planning efforts. The Rural Transit Solutions Fund will enable purchases of electric vehicles, accessible vans, and mini-buses for Indigenous and senior communities, as well as planning feasibility studies for future transit delivery. This initiative supports mobility solutions in rural, remote, and Indigenous areas.

Sources: www.canada.ca

ACOA Invests in Technology and Capacity for Dartmouth Businesses

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency announced nearly $1.3 million for three Dartmouth businesses under the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, targeting regional productivity, technology upgrades, and supply chain expansion. Recipients include Outdoor-Fit Exercise Systems Inc., Reftek Systems Inc., and Aurea Technologies Inc., with investments going toward advanced manufacturing, sensor labs for reliability, and prototyping for turbine technology. The focus is on building competitive supply chains and expanding international market reach.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Natural Gas Supply and Disposition Data for January 2026 Released

Statistics Canada published updated data for January 2026 on natural gas transmission, storage, and distribution. The release offers supply chain participants current information for assessing trends in production, transport, and end-use distribution.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Minister Hodgson Addresses Energy Security at CERAWeek

On March 23 in Houston, Minister Tim Hodgson delivered a keynote at CERAWeek, emphasizing Canada's position as a provider of both conventional and clean energy. Hodgson highlighted plans for expanded LNG exports, SMR deployment in partnership with US technology providers, and investments in grid modernization. The speech referenced strategic industry partnerships, rising foreign investment figures, and coordination with Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador for energy exports and supply chain integration.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Upcoming Federal Clean Energy Investment Announcements Scheduled

Natural Resources Canada notified that Minister Tim Hodgson would make a public announcement on March 27 focusing on support for reliable, affordable energy in Markham, Ontario. Accredited media were directed to register for the event, indicating continued federal engagement on grid reliability and modernization.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Nova Scotia and Federal Government Adopt Unified Environmental Review for Major Projects

Nova Scotia and the federal government signed a co-operation agreement on March 27 allowing for a single review process for projects requiring both federal and provincial environmental approvals, including interprovincial transmission lines and major infrastructure.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Alberta Proposes 120-Day Major Project Approval Timeline

Alberta announced proposed legislation to set a 120-day approval timetable for major energy infrastructure projects, aiming to accelerate decision-making and attract investment while maintaining Indigenous consultation and environmental reviews.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Alberta and Canada Reach Methane Regulation Equivalency Agreement

Alberta and the federal government have outlined an agreement-in-principle for Alberta to continue regulating methane emissions within its own system, targeting a 75% reduction from 2014 levels by 2035, subject to independent third-party review.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Hydro-Québec Pursues Offshore Wind Strategy Connected to Nova Scotia

Hydro-Québec issued a request for information from offshore wind developers, signaling intent to connect new wind capacity in Nova Scotia to Quebec and New England markets, and strengthening the business case for large-scale transmission investment.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Alberta Geological Survey Identifies Major Lithium Resource

A new Alberta Geological Survey report estimates 82.5 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent in place, positioning Alberta among the world's largest potential producers and supporting future energy storage and battery supply chain development.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Geotab’s 2025 Sustainability and Impact Report Shows Fleets Cutting Fuel Waste, Reducing Idling by up to 30%, and Electrifying as Energy Costs Rise: Fleet operators are reporting double-digit reductions in idling and rising electrification efforts according to Geotab's new report.
• A low-carbon future needs an electric jolt: Editorial underscores the centrality of electricity in Canada's climate and economic policy ambitions.
• Hydro-Québec seeking input on linking its grid with proposed Nova Scotia wind farms: Hydro-Québec explores public engagement as it considers new connections for renewable energy projects.
• Poland faced a surge in cyberattacks in 2025, including a major assault on the energy sector: Spike in energy-sector cyberattacks prompts review of grid security measures in Europe.
• P.E.I. government puts out expression of interest for a battery energy storage system: Prince Edward Island initiates steps toward deploying new battery storage capacity to support grid reliability.
• Energy policy key as NDP leadership candidates make final pitch: Federal leadership race features competing energy agendas.
• UK Should Consider Cap on Energy Profits, Adviser Says: British policy advisers weigh a limit on energy sector profits amid volatility.
• Canada invests $28.9 million in carbon capture, renewable energy and electricity grid projects: Coverage of Ottawa’s latest batch of federal clean energy project grants.
• Ottawa allocates $29-million from Energy Innovation Program for carbon capture, clean tech projects: The Globe summarizes new federal allocations for CCUS and renewables.

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