September 27, 2026 to October 03, 2026

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.

Want to track other GR news in adjacent industries? Don't miss this week's updates in Oil & Gas and Construction. Also consider subscribing to our Utilities & Power - Washington edition covering critical GR news south of the border.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Parliamentary Calendar
• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• House Natural Resources Committee: Canada’s Electrification, Energy Self-Sufficiency, and Domestic Energy Security: On October 5, 2026, the committee will hear from representatives of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, Indigenous Clean Energy, Manitoba Hydro, and others from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; webcast available.
• Environment and Sustainable Development Committee: Retrofits for Home Energy Efficiency: On October 6, 2026, the committee will hear from JD Composites, The Atmospheric Fund, Efficiency Canada, Ottawa Community Housing, Pembina Institute, and others from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; location is Room 420, Wellington Building.
• Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee: Affordability Challenges in Northern Canada: Scheduled for October 6, 2026, the committee will focus on affordability and energy access in northern regions, with representatives from Nunavut, the Arctic Energy Alliance, and First Nations groups.
• Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources: Offshore Petroleum and Future Agenda: The committee will meet in camera on October 6, 2026, to examine Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore petroleum industry and review a draft report.
• Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources: Draft Agenda: An in camera session to consider a draft agenda (future business) is scheduled for October 8, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. in Room B30, Senate of Canada Building.

Federal Government News

Pacific Link Pipeline Gains Project of National Interest Status, Paving Path for New Energy Exports

On October 2, 2026, Minister Jill McKnight toured the Westridge Marine Terminal in Burnaby to demonstrate Canada's operational and environmental standards at this critical energy export site. The visit followed the Prime Minister's declaration of the Pacific Link pipeline as a project of national interest under the Building Canada Act. Pacific Link, scheduled to connect a new marine terminal in Delta, B.C., with markets in Asia, will enable shipments of up to one million barrels per day, leveraging 70-90% of the existing Trans Mountain corridor. According to government projections, the project stands to generate up to 140,000 jobs during construction and $20 billion in annual GDP, with the government expecting $100 billion in revenue by 2060. The facility has expanded its marine response personnel, launched extensive mitigation measures to reduce impacts on the marine environment, and reached mutual benefit agreements with 81 Indigenous groups. Operational readiness at the Westridge terminal is underpinned by an 85-person team and the capacity to receive 34 vessels per month. The announcement and tour signal the federal government's commitment to advancing major energy projects by drawing on lessons from the Trans Mountain Expansion Project and maintaining rigorous safety, environmental, and Indigenous consultation standards.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government and Federation of Canadian Municipalities Back 162 Home Energy Retrofit Financing Projects

On October 2, 2026, Minister Julie Dabrusin (Environment, Climate Change and Nature) and Parliamentary Secretary Jennifer McKelvie announced $66.3 million in federal support for 162 clean energy retrofit and affordable housing projects across Canada. Leveraging the Green Municipal Fund and local partners, the program targets improvements such as high-efficiency windows, advanced insulation, and heat pumps. These projects are expected to lower household energy consumption, reduce costs, and reinforce community resilience, with emphasis on local financing access for energy efficiency. Initiatives include affordable housing retrofits in Peel, Toronto, Montréal, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Halifax, Fredericton, and Nunavut, as well as feasibility studies in Markham and Richmond Hill. Municipal and utility partnerships will facilitate local delivery, contributing to national energy transition objectives.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian International Trade Tribunal Begins Expiry Review on Small Power Transformer Imports

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal launched an expiry review concerning certain small power transformer imports from Chinese Taipei and Korea. The review (RR-2026-007) will examine whether removing current anti-dumping measures would likely result in resumed or continued dumping and material injury to the Canadian transformer industry. The Canada Border Services Agency must determine the likelihood of dumping by February 26, 2027; if confirmed, the Tribunal will rule on risk of injury by August 5, 2027. The review is open for participation by industry stakeholders, with the process directly affecting tariff protections and future market competition for key transformer equipment.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatCan Reports July Energy Production Increase

New data from Statistics Canada, released on September 29, 2026, shows Canadian primary energy production rose 2.7% year-over-year in July 2026, totaling 2.1 million gigajoules. Five out of six energy subsectors contributed to this increase. These figures provide industry with updated benchmarks for national energy output and may inform ongoing planning for capacity and supply management.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

CNSC to Hold Public Hearing on Pickering Nuclear Station Licence Renewal and Waste Management

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) will conduct the second part of its public hearing from October 6 to 9, 2026, to address Ontario Power Generation's application to renew operating licences for the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station and Waste Management Facility. Stakeholders, including CNSC staff, OPG, Indigenous Nations, and the public, will present further written and oral submissions. A proposed refurbishment of PNGS Units 5 to 8 will also be discussed. The outcome will affect the regulatory landscape for nuclear operation and waste management in Ontario.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Cyber Resilience Efforts Launch With Public-Private Partnership Forum

On September 29, 2026, Public Safety Canada and the Communications Security Establishment held the first in-person meeting of the Canadian Cyber Defence Collective Strategic Forum Advisory Council in Ottawa. The initiative is part of the 2025 National Cyber Security Strategy, designed to coordinate government and private sector efforts in strengthening Canada's defenses for critical infrastructure, with participation from the energy sector. The Forum will support intelligence sharing and the anticipation, management, and response to evolving cyber threats, including those related to artificial intelligence.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Industrial R&D Expenditures: New Data Sets Released for 2024-2026

Statistics Canada published results from the Annual Survey of Research and Development in Canadian Industry on September 29, 2026, providing actual expenditures for 2024 and preliminary results and intentions for 2025 and 2026, with coverage including energy and intellectual property outlays. Industry stakeholders can reference this data for sector trends in innovation and R&D financing.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Construction Begins on Central Heating Plant at 5 Wing Goose Bay for Grid Transition

On October 2, 2026, the Department of National Defence commenced construction on a new Central Heating Plant at 5 Wing Goose Bay. The $187-million project, awarded to MCW Custom Energy Solutions Ltd., will shift the base from diesel heating to Labrador hydroelectricity, providing 20 megawatts of secured capacity from Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. Scheduled for completion in December 2030, the upgrade will modernize utility control and metering systems, cut energy costs by 77%, and reduce GHG emissions by 94%, or around 19,000 tonnes per year.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Productivity Mega Deduction Expands Immediate Investment Write-off for Energy Infrastructure

On October 1, 2026, Minister Gary Anandasangaree announced the new Productivity Mega Deduction, permitting immediate expensing of a broader range of business assets, now covering over 65% of eligible assets, including pipelines, grid infrastructure, and technology. The policy makes immediate expensing permanent, reducing the marginal effective tax rate on new investment to 6.4%. These changes may affect capital allocation decisions for energy sector projects.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Nova Scotia Premier Promotes Provincial Energy Initiatives at World Energies Summit

Premier Tim Houston delivered remarks in London to global oil and gas industry leaders, presenting Nova Scotia's plans for offshore oil and gas, the new Wind West initiative, and ongoing work with Hydro-Québec and Massachusetts on regional transmission.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Alberta Government Responds to Pacific Link Pipeline's National Interest Designation

Premier Danielle Smith welcomed the listing of Pacific Link as a project of national interest, noting anticipated job creation and a streamlined regulatory review by the Major Projects Office and Canada Energy Regulator before construction commences.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Government Consultations

Canada Energy Regulator Solicits Feedback on Draft 2026 Remediation Process Guide

The CER is seeking public comment on the Draft 2026 Remediation Process Guide until October 5, 2026, covering technical requirements for managing and remediating contamination for regulated energy facilities.

Sources: www.cerdialogue.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Could a single Maritime power grid make electricity more reliable?: An overview of discussions around the potential benefits and challenges of a unified Maritime power grid.
• Hydro-Québec asks provincial regulator to hike energy rates for large data centres: The utility is seeking regulatory approval to increase rates for large data centre operators.
• Enerflex signs deal with data centre developer for natural gas power generators: A supply agreement highlights ongoing demand for gas generation in data centre development.
• STACK Infrastructure Achieves SBTi Validation of Science-Based Net-Zero Targets: A data centre firm reports third-party validation of its emissions strategy.
• Wood Mackenzie: Europe's Power Sector Hits 80% Zero-Carbon Generation by 2030, But Misses Its Own Renewables Target: New projections for zero-carbon electricity share in Europe.
• Puerto Rico faces record electric rate as demand and costs increase: Utilities issue alerts as rate pressures spread to island grids.
• Opinion: The climate energy transition was a broken promise: A columnist assesses progress and political realities shaping energy transition outcomes.
• Sustainable Energy - Page 5: Recent coverage of developments in Canada's sustainable energy landscape.

.