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: 2026-03-29 to 2026-04-04

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

Minister Hodgson to Announce Clean Energy Funding

The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, is preparing a funding announcement concerning clean energy and economic growth on April 8, 2026. Details will be presented with options for both virtual and in-person attendance in Toronto. The announcement follows a trend of increased federal investments in clean power infrastructure, potentially influencing project financing opportunities nationwide. Pre-registration is open to accredited media until April 2, 2026, with logistical details coordinated through Natural Resources Canada. This move is positioned to connect directly with ongoing grid modernization and renewable energy expansion priorities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan: Primary Energy Production Reaches Record High

Statistics Canada reported that primary energy production in January 2026 increased by 3.5% year-over-year, reaching 2.2 million gigajoules—the highest monthly total recorded since 2020. Secondary energy production advanced by 1.6%, led by a 9.8% increase in secondary electricity generation. This data marks a continued forward trajectory in both primary resource extraction and value-added energy output, offering baseline indicators for evaluating mid-term supply security and planning needs.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Natural Resource Sector GDP Shows Marginal Decline

The natural resources sector saw a slight contraction in real GDP (-0.2%) during Q4 2025, following modest growth (+0.9%) in the previous quarter, according to Statistics Canada. The sector’s performance tracked closely with national GDP, which also declined (‑0.2%) over the period. Sector stakeholders may note this as part of the broader macroeconomic context impacting resource and utility project development cycles.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canada and South Korea Deepen Battery and Clean Tech Ties

Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu concluded a Team Canada Trade Mission to Seoul with over 180 delegates and 100 business organizations. Notable outcomes included direct discussions with Hyundai Motor Group, LG Energy Solutions on mobility and EV batteries, and the signing of nine new bilateral partnership agreements. Canadian companies such as Prairie Lithium and Vancouver-based Telescope Innovations advanced commercial arrangements with Korean industry. Export Development Canada facilitated its first financial transaction with SK ecoplant, potentially expanding trade pipelines for battery supply chains and clean tech solutions. The mission prioritized sectoral partnerships in energy, clean technology, and advanced manufacturing, reflecting ongoing Indo-Pacific strategy alignment.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Battery Innovation and Value Chain Focus for Quebec

Claude Guay, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, is set to announce a new federal initiative on battery innovation and critical minerals development in Quebec. Scheduled for April 8, 2026, this announcement aims to bolster Canada’s battery manufacturing ecosystem and associated value chains. The initiative is of interest to upstream critical minerals suppliers, energy storage, and automobility sector participants in Quebec and nationally.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Funding Announcement Imminent

Karim Bardeesy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry, will announce federal support for electric vehicle charging infrastructure at the EV & Charging Expo in Toronto on April 8, 2026. The session targets growing charging demand required to support accelerated EV adoption. Details around the scale, mechanisms, and eligibility of the investment are pending, but pre-registration is currently open for stakeholders and media.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Largest-Ever Defence Grid Modernization for Newfoundland and Labrador

The Department of National Defence confirmed a $187 million Energy Performance Contract to upgrade electrical infrastructure at 5 Wing Goose Bay, replacing diesel generation with electric boilers tied to Labrador’s hydro grid. Construction will begin in May 2026 and is expected to complete by December 2030, with projected energy cost savings of $8.6 million annually and a 94% reduction in CO2 emissions from the site. Additional network improvements will roll out across key northern NORAD infrastructure over the next several years, with over $650 million in new energy projects planned.

Sources: www.canada.ca

FedDev Ontario Invests in Aerospace, Space, and Clean Energy Manufacturing

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) is allocating $14.5 million to Kepler Communications and Dishon Limited. Kepler’s funding aims to accelerate market entry for Tranche 1 optical communications satellites, with direct implications for Arctic connectivity and secure military-grade networks. Dishon Limited will expand its Vaughan production facility to scale high-precision components for aerospace, satellite, and clean energy markets, including next-generation fusion energy solutions.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

BC Revises ZEV Targets and Charging Investments

British Columbia amended its Zero-Emission Vehicles Act, lowering the 2035 sales target to 75% (from 100%) and removing the ban on internal combustion engine vehicle sales after 2035. The province is also funding 75 new EV charging projects across 41 communities.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Clean Industry Fund 2026 Intake Opens in BC

The Government of British Columbia opened applications for the 2026 Clean Industry Fund. New rules include a $10 million cap per project under the emissions performance stream, supporting a wider range of industrial emission reduction and electrification projects.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Alberta Introduces Bill 28 Affecting Utilities and Property Taxation

Alberta tabled Bill 28, granting new regulation-making powers for municipal public utilities governance, modernizing industrial property assessment (including pipelines), and establishing consistent property taxation practices.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Ontario Funds Amherstburg in Response to U.S. Tariffs

Ontario committed $838,000 to Amherstburg to support workforce protection and local supply chain diversification in response to U.S. tariffs, with funds directed to industrial land readiness and economic diversification for advanced manufacturing and clean technology.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Renewables surged to almost half of global electricity capacity in 2025: Global renewable electricity capacity gains reported.
• Should Canadians start cutting back on power?: Column debates demand-side responses to energy supply concerns.
• What is the province doing to ensure P.E.I. has a reliable energy supply?: Interview evaluates P.E.I.’s energy reliability measures.
• Distancing Point Lepreau, offloading debt are worth a close look, N.B. Power CEO says: N.B. Power leadership discusses strategic asset and debt management.
• N.B. Power grilled over long-term needs as gas plant hearings wrap: Hearings scrutinize generation planning and reliability.
• The taxpayer-funded megaproject hanging over Danielle Smith's energy deal with Ottawa: Analysis of Alberta’s Pathways CCS megaproject and policy risk.
• Power struggle: Northern Alberta communities want unequal billing practice changed: Feature on electricity distribution fee disputes in northern Alberta.
• TC Energy urges swifter, more ambitious development of natural gas projects: TC Energy calls for expedited action on natural gas infrastructure.
• 🔮 Exponential View #567: The rewiring of work; Development 2.0; Texas storage, AI microdrama, Hollywood++: Discussion includes Texas energy storage expansion.

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