QUESTION PERIOD — Natural Resources
Energy Infrastructure
March 11, 2026
My question is for Senator Moreau.
Prince Edward Island currently maintains four underwater cables that link our grid to the mainland. The province sources about 70% of our electricity from New Brunswick through these cables, while federal programs, like the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program, have successfully encouraged Islanders to switch to clean energy. This shift is pushing the grid to its limits. Our cables are reaching the end of their life, with the current flow of energy restricted to roughly half of its capacity from the New Brunswick substation.
Energy security is a shared challenge requiring a shared solution. As P.E.I.’s energy consumption continues to climb, our transmission cables have proven to be a vital nation-building project and in line with the federal priority to “build Canada strong.”
How does the federal government plan to support these urgent modernizations of the province’s underwater transmission cables and help resolve the infrastructure bottlenecks that currently limit our supply of electricity?
I have no specific answer to that question, but in my former life, I was responsible for energy in Quebec. The Magdalen Islands have exactly the same issue as Prince Edward Island.
On a national level, I will get it to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources to make sure that these things are taken into consideration. However, through the Major Projects Office, there is a procedure that has to be followed. I don’t know whether this situation has been brought up to the Major Projects Office, but if you know that and if you have any other information, I would gladly bring it not only to the government but to that office.
Thank you.
Prince Edward Island is the only province without a commitment to a nation-building project. Senator Moreau, can Islanders expect the federal government to commit to a cost-sharing partnership for the urgent modernization of our underwater electric cables?
It seems to me that it would be very important as a national project, given the way you are describing it. As you know, there are two tranches of major projects that have been announced. The idea is to build major projects everywhere in Canada, including, of course, Prince Edward Island.
Bring me the information, and I can assure you that I will get it to the minister.
