October 11, 2026 to October 17, 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
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• Industry and Technology Committee: Bill C-267 and Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy Reports: The Industry and Technology Committee will meet October 20 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to examine Bill C-267 and consider draft reports on EV policies and AI regulation in Canada’s strategic industries. In-camera consideration on financial fraud and scams is scheduled.
• Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee: Affordability Challenges in Northern Canada: Scheduled for October 20, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., the committee will hear witnesses from the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut, and other entities regarding affordability challenges, including energy costs, in Northern Canada.
• Human Resources Committee: Skilled Trades and Labour Mobility Framework: On October 20, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the Human Resources committee will discuss Bill C-266, covering national skilled trades and labour mobility frameworks, and hear departmental witnesses. In-camera sessions include drafting reports and committee business.
• Special Senate Committee on the Building Canada Strong Act: Bill C-39 Study: On October 19, starting at 12:00 p.m., the Senate special committee will examine Bill C-39, featuring witnesses from the Impact Assessment Agency, Canada Energy Regulator, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, and representatives from Electricity Canada and other stakeholders.

Federal Government News

Federal Government Commits $100 Million to Offshore Wind in Nova Scotia

On October 15, Minister Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a $100 million federal commitment to develop offshore wind resources in Nova Scotia. The initiative includes $5 million to deploy floating light detection and ranging buoys for ocean and wind data collection, supporting future bid calls by the Canada–Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulator in winter 2027. Nearly $3 million will be allocated to Net Zero Atlantic to expand modeling and conduct marine surveys regarding transmission routing to Quebec, Ontario, and other regions. The Wind West project, part of the Atlantic Energy Strategy, aims to deliver zero-emissions electricity for Nova Scotia and facilitate exports via new transmission infrastructure. The federal Major Projects Office is overseeing this collaboration, which builds on regional efforts to modernize interprovincial grid connections.

Sources: www.canada.ca

New Measures Announced to Improve Energy Efficiency and Reduce Costs

Federal officials, including Tim Louis (Intergovernmental Affairs), Shafqat Ali (President of the Treasury Board), and Patty Hajdu (Jobs and Families), detailed new initiatives to help Canadians reduce energy costs and emissions. At events across Ontario, they outlined measures aimed at increasing energy efficiency for residential consumers and supporting workforce development. In Thunder Bay, Minister Hajdu addressed workforce investments to address skilled labour shortages as part of these broader efforts. The announcements were made at Waterloo Energy Products in Maryhill, Dr HVAC in Brampton, and Klimit Mechanical in Thunder Bay, with media advisories encouraging registration and attendance.

Sources: www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca

Federal Funding to Lower Home Heating Costs in Newfoundland and Labrador

On October 15 in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ministers Julie Dabrusin (Environment, Climate Change and Nature) and Joanne Thompson (Fisheries) announced funding designed to reduce home heating expenses. Executives from Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and Newfoundland Power attended, with the event hosted at Heat Pump Solutions Ltd. Funding details focused on lowering costs for residential heating and increasing adoption of energy-efficient solutions.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government Invests $430 Million in Apprenticeship Training to Support Skilled Trades

Secretary of State John Zerucelli unveiled more than $430 million in funding over five years for the Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP). The investment targets expanding infrastructure, piloting innovative recruitment approaches, and enhancing equipment acquisition. Organizations may submit expressions of interest for infrastructure projects by November 12 and apply for innovation projects by December 17. The contribution rate for equipment purchases has temporarily increased from 50% to 70%. This support is intended to strengthen skilled trades training capacity, improve workforce readiness for critical infrastructure and economic projects, and manage rising equipment costs.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Releases Data: Thermal Power Generation and Electricity Output Rise in 2025

Statistics Canada published preliminary figures indicating that electric thermal plants generated 230.5 million megawatt-hours in 2025, a 2.6% increase from 2024. The growth in thermal generation was attributed to reduced hydroelectric output and increased electricity demand nationwide. Natural gas, coal, and uranium accounted for 213.6 million MWh. Canada’s total electricity generation also advanced 2.9% to 639.5 million MWh for the year.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca, www.statcan.gc.ca

Minister Hodgson Schedules Official Meetings in UK on Energy Transition

Minister Tim Hodgson will travel to London, U.K., for official events on October 19 and 20, including a fireside chat at Canada House with Teck President Jonathan Price and a keynote interview at the Energy Transition Summit 2026. These engagements are expected to include discussions on clean energy and the direction of Canadian energy policy. Accredited media can register for coverage and virtual access.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Electric Power Selling Price Index Updates for August 2026

Statistics Canada released the Electric Power Selling Price Index (2014=100) for August 2026. The index enables market participants to track fluctuations in the pricing of electric power across Canada.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Manitoba Introduces Legislation to Reduce Hydro Rates via Crypto Levy

Manitoba’s Budget Implementation and Tax Statutes Amendment Act proposes a levy on cryptocurrency and AI data centers, with revenue returned to residential hydro customers, expected to lower bills by approximately $50 per year.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Nova Scotia and Federal Government Announce $100 Million Offshore Wind Investment

Nova Scotia, with federal support, will invest $100 million for research and data collection to advance offshore wind, positioning the province to license up to five gigawatts by 2030 and attract over $60 billion in private-sector investment.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Ontario Welcomes $479 Million Transformer Manufacturing Investment

Hitachi Energy Canada will open a new transformer insulation facility in London, Ontario, with a $479 million investment supported by up to $20 million from the province, creating over 100 jobs and strengthening domestic supply chains.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Implements Winter Utility Protections

Alberta enacted Winter Rules effective October 15, preventing full disconnection of electricity between October and April and protecting natural gas customers from disconnection starting November 1, aiming to maintain essential services during cold months.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Ontario Adds Bruce Power to Emergency Response Network

Bruce Power joins Ontario Corps, providing facilities, personnel, and equipment for emergency management, and supporting response efforts across the province as part of Ontario’s broader energy system preparedness.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Enerflex Announces Major Project Award and Increases Behind-the-Meter Power Generation Backlog to Over 1.75 Gigawatts: Enerflex expands its project backlog, increasing behind-the-meter generation capabilities.
• onsemi and Sungrow Advance Utility-Scale Energy Storage Performance with SiC Hybrid Technology: New SiC hybrid technology deployed for utility-scale energy storage.
• Integrated Power Services (IPS) Acquires Bold Renewables: IPS expands its renewables portfolio with this acquisition.
• Canada’s energy transition needs a new playbook: Industry voices call for a refreshed strategy to advance Canada's energy transition.
• Crypto, AI data centre levy to cut Manitobans' hydro bills, minister says: Manitoba government addresses energy affordability through a targeted levy.
• 10 data-centre projects interested in connecting to N.B. Power grid, utility says: N.B. Power reports strong demand from new data centre projects for grid connection.
• How Fast Will Charging Be in the Future? 2026 Chery International User Summit to Unlock Next-Gen Smart Energy Experience: Summit explores advancements in electric vehicle charging technology.
• Manitoba government to use crypto levy to reduce hydro rates: Coverage of Manitoba's legislative plans for hydro rate adjustments.
• From climate-driven disasters to Rohingya refugee camps, solar kits help keep the lights on: Solar kits deployed globally to sustain lighting during emergencies.
• US is reviving shuttered nuclear plants to meet growing electricity demand and to power data centers: US nuclear sector responds to electricity demand surge.

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