(Pictou) Atlantic premiers are urging Ottawa to make a decision on funding a hydroelectric power corridor for the entire region.
Posted at 4:06 p.m.
The “Atlantic Loop” project, estimated at $5 billion, would connect the four provinces to hydroelectricity in Quebec and Labrador.
The region’s four premiers gathered Wednesday in Pictou, Nova Scotia, for a meeting of the Council of Atlantic Premiers.
Host of the meeting, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, said while talks continue, premiers need ‘clarity’ from the federal government on timelines and participation of Ottawa for this project, which he describes as “crucial”.
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey said the project needed to start “fairly quickly” because of its size and impacts across the region.
Furey says it’s time to develop a more detailed plan around the ‘loop’ project as the Atlantic provinces strive to meet ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction targets .
The premiers of the Atlantic provinces also renewed their commitment to act with their counterparts in the other provinces, through the Council of the Federation, on the issue of health financing. Premiers continue to call on the federal government to increase its share of funding from 22% to 35% through the Canada Health Transfer.
The next meeting of the Council of the Federation will take place on July 11 and 12 in Victoria, British Columbia.