Quebec election: Legault says new hydro dam needed to meet greenhouse gas targets
Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) Leader François Legault says reaching the province's greenhouse gas targets isn't achievable without a new hydroelectric dam.
Legault made the comments today in Montreal, a day after the five major party leaders squared off in the first election debate of the campaign.
For the next debate, Legault said he hopes to explain his environmental ideas more fully, adding that the opposition parties have proposed plans that aren't achievable.
The CAQ government is committing to reducing Quebec's greenhouse gas emissions by 37.5 per cent compared to 1990 levels by 2030, but the Liberals are proposing a 45 per cent reduction target over that same period. Québec solidaire, meanwhile, is aiming higher at 55 per cent.
Legault says the other parties aren't being serious because they have not revealed where the extra electricity would come from to replace power from fossil fuels, adding that building a new dam takes at least 15 years.
Earlier in the campaign, Legault said he would ask the province's hydro utility to consider new hydroelectric dam projects, but he hasn't said where they would be built.
Legault says the hydro utility needs to produce an extra 100 terawatt hours to meet the expected rise in demand over the coming years, which would equal half of the annual output of Hydro-Québec.
The incumbent premier says Quebec will also need to renegotiate its contract with Newfoundland and Labrador for the Churchill Falls hydroelectric project. The deal gives Hydro-Québec electricity at a price seen as unfavourable to Newfoundland and Labrador. The 1969 deal ends in 2041.
"I don't want to have my hands tied behind my back negotiating with Newfoundland, obliged to sign no matter the price," Legault said Friday, adding he would be open to discussing involvement in other energy projects with the Newfoundland premier.
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'The root cause': Canada outlines national action plan to fight auto theft
The federal government is launching what it calls its 'national action plan' to combat auto thefts, which will include stronger penalties for thieves, and increased information sharing between police agencies, government officials and border enforcement.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Michael Cohen says he stole from Trump's company as defence presses key hush money trial witness
Michael Cohen testified Monday that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from his ex-boss Donald Trump’s company, an admission defence lawyers hope to use to undermine Cohen’s credibility.
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
'Next man up': Canucks coach, teammates bracing for Game 7 without Brock Boeser
Questions about how the team is going to handle the absence of star winger Brock Boeser from a do-or-die game seven dominated pre-game interviews with the Vancouver Canucks coach and players Monday morning.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.