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: 2026-03-01 to 2026-03-07

📋 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

• House of Commons Environment and Sustainable Development Committee: Effectiveness, Potential Improvements, and Capability of Canada's 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: The House environment committee will consider the draft report regarding the effectiveness and improvements for Canada's 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan on March 10, 2026, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Room 420, Wellington Building. The session will be in camera, with witnesses scheduled.

Federal Government News

Canada Launches $1.5B First and Last Mile Fund, $2B Critical Minerals Sovereign Fund, and $165.2M Mining Project Suite

At the PDAC 2026 convention, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson introduced multiple federal initiatives targeting the critical minerals supply chain. The First and Last Mile Fund, with $1.5 billion in funding, is set to support five initial projects including upgrades to BC Hydro’s system for the Highland Valley Copper Mine, expanded transmission lines in Saskatchewan, and pre-construction activities for Anyox Hydro and Wicheeda Rare Earth Elements projects. The fund also includes a pathway for Indigenous leadership and engagement throughout project development. Additionally, the government allotted $165.2 million to 22 critical minerals projects, including funding for hybrid energy management systems at Arctic mines and new methods to produce battery-grade graphite, and conditions-based support for a lithium conversion pilot and advanced geoscience mapping across Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan. The program is projected to unlock $434 million in private capital investment. The upcoming Critical Minerals Sovereign Fund, launching in the spring, will invest $2 billion via equity, loans, and supply agreements to accelerate final investment decisions for high-priority projects.

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

Canada Announces 30 New Deals under G7 Critical Minerals Production Alliance, Mobilizing $12.1 Billion

Minister Tim Hodgson detailed the second round of thirty new partnerships, totaling $12.1 billion of investment, established via the G7 Critical Minerals Production Alliance. These joint ventures include aligned equity positions, offtake agreements, and coordinated policy tools, enhancing investment certainty and de-risking cross-border commitments. The new agreements bring total capital unlocked by the alliance to $18.5 billion in Canadian mining projects within the first six months. Federal agreements with Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, P.E.I., and B.C. provide unified project reviews. The Alliance’s direction aligns with the ongoing G7 agenda as France assumes presidency.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Site Preparation and Construction License Issued for NexGen's Rook I Nuclear Project in Saskatchewan

On March 5, 2026, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission authorized NexGen Energy Ltd. to proceed with site preparation and construction of the Rook I uranium mine and mill near Patterson Lake, Saskatchewan. The facility is projected to produce up to 14 million kg of U₃O₈ per year over 24 years. The commission undertook extensive public consultations, including a hybrid hearing in Gatineau and Saskatoon, and determined that the project would not cause significant adverse effects under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012. The license spans until March 31, 2036, with strict conditions on Indigenous engagement and financial guarantees, and applies to preparation and construction only—not operation. NexGen must meet obligations under Section 35 of the Constitution to consult Indigenous stakeholders.

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

National Plan Launched to Address Mining Workforce Challenges

On March 2, 2026, Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu announced the formalization of a national coordinated plan for mining and minerals workforce development at the PDAC convention. The Mining and Minerals Workforce Alliance, comprised of employers, unions, educational institutions, and Indigenous partners, is tasked with addressing immediate and ongoing shortages across exploration, extraction, processing, and supply chains. The Alliance forms one of six major priorities under an overarching productivity initiative, which covers advanced manufacturing, energy and electricity, transportation, care economy, and construction. The plan responds to sector trends including an aging workforce and increased demand due to clean-tech and new supply chain projects.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Bay du Nord Offshore Project Agreement Marks Advancement for NL, Equinor

On March 3, 2026, Natural Resources Canada welcomed a landmark agreement between the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and Equinor for the Bay du Nord project. The project area, 500 km east of St. John’s, is slated for a final investment decision in 2027. Expected to generate thousands of jobs during development, Bay du Nord constitutes one of Canada’s largest offshore oil discoveries, providing oil below the global extraction average for GHG emissions. The agreement supports Newfoundland’s strategy for long-term energy security and export-oriented economic growth.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and European Union Move Forward on Critical Raw Materials Cooperation

Minister Tim Hodgson and EU Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné signed a Letter of Intent on March 2, 2026, expanding on the EU-Canada Strategic Partnership on Raw Materials. The accord includes bilateral cooperation on supply chain resilience, regulatory harmonization, trade, and industry engagement. The European Investment Bank and the Government of Canada intend to promote secure, diversified, and sustainable critical minerals supply in both jurisdictions, supporting the expanded G7 Critical Minerals Production Alliance.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and Greenland Sign Declaration on North-North Cooperation in Critical Minerals and Energy

On March 2, 2026, the Department of Natural Resources of Canada and the Ministry of Business, Mineral Resources, Energy, Justice and Gender Equality of Greenland formalized intent to collaborate on geological research, low-carbon energy for remote microgrid communities, and resilient energy infrastructure. The agreement facilitates dialogue, research and fieldwork, industry stakeholder cooperation, and knowledge transfer. It supports joint activities such as seminars, exchanges, and joint field operations, focusing on security of supply and mutual benefit.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Electric Utility Financial Report 2024 Now Available

Statistics Canada released its 2024 Electric Utility Financial Report on March 5, 2026, providing sector-level financial performance data. The detailed figures are available by request to industry stakeholders.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Primary and Secondary Energy Production Stable in December, Secondary Electricity Jumps

Statistics Canada reported that primary energy output in Canada totaled 2.2 million terajoules for December 2025, remaining unchanged from the prior December. However, secondary energy production grew 3.1%, led by a 16.5% increase in secondary electricity output.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Interprovincial Partnership Signed for National Transmission Corridor

Ontario announced on March 4, 2026, a new interprovincial-territorial partnership for transmission grid connections across B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Yukon, P.E.I., Nova Scotia, and the NWT. The agreement aims to enable new intertie projects, facilitate domestic clean electricity trade, and involve Indigenous partners.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Alberta and Canada Reach Cooperation Agreement-in-Principle on Impact Assessments

On March 6, 2026, Alberta and the federal government announced an agreement-in-principle which entrusts the province with a lead role for environmental reviews on projects within its jurisdiction, seeks to coordinate federal-provincial assessments, and reduces duplication as part of ongoing regulatory reform.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

NextStar Energy Advanced Battery Facility Opens in Windsor, Ontario

The NextStar Energy facility officially opened this week, adding up to 2,500 jobs. Federal and provincial officials joined company executives to mark production from Canada’s first large-scale lithium-ion battery plant, which began in November and will support EV and grid infrastructure sectors.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Announces $46 Million in TIER Funding for Tailings Pond Technologies

Alberta's government allocated $46 million through its TIER fund for nine projects by major oil companies and research partners to develop and deploy technologies for reducing tailings ponds at oilsands operations. Company recipients include CNRL, Imperial, Suncor, NAIT, and others.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Nova Scotia Grants Environmental Assessment Approval for Water Pipeline

Nova Scotia authorities issued environmental assessment approval to the Landrie Lake Water Utility on March 4, 2026, greenlighting a pipeline project supporting growing Cape Breton demand, local fire protection, and future green hydrogen infrastructure.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Barclays Says Power Grid Congestion Risks 'Stranded' Renewables: Discussion of grid bottlenecks raising risks for new renewable projects.
• Ottawa announces more than $100-million in funding for electricity push in Western Canada: Report on additional public investment into Western Canadian grid development.
• How Fossil Fuel Disruptions Lead to Booms in Solar and Batteries: Analysis on how supply shocks drive adoption of clean energy tech.
• EverWind Secures US$175 Million Strategic Investment from Nuveen to Advance Largest Atlantic Canadian Clean Energy Platform: Funding boost for Atlantic Canada energy storage project.
• Why California is Reconsidering Nuclear Energy After 50-Year Ban: An overview on renewed interest in nuclear in U.S. state energy policy.
• BCI, Norges Bank Investment Management and Brookfield Partner to Launch Northview Energy: Major institutional investors launch new Canada-focused energy platform.
• Green energy orgs applaud Canada-India agreements on renewables: Sector reactions to recent cross-border renewable deals.
• Enbridge Gas president on sustainability, reliability — and why your gas bill has gone up: Interview on cost drivers and utility operations.
• Japan, U.S. aim to add nuclear power project to $550-billion investment package, sources say: News of planned expansion in international energy project portfolios.

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