There's no energy crisis, says Fitzgibbon, contrary to what Skeete says
There is no energy crisis in Quebec, according to Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon, even though one of his colleagues argues otherwise.
Last week, Economy Minister Christopher Skeete spoke of an energy crisis in Quebec during a session in the National Assembly.
On Friday, the Liberal opposition accused the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government of lacking "clarity and vision" on future electricity needs, and Skeete replied that the Liberals, "also don't have an answer as to how we're going to solve Quebec's energy crisis."
"Energy crisis? No," Fitzgibbon clarified in a press scrum Wednesday morning before heading into question period.
"I think Quebec has the energy it needs," he said.
The minister added that the future needs of industries that have been identified exceed Hydro-Québec's current production capacity. However, he wanted to be reassuring for the future. "But we can manage that," he added.
The debate on Quebec's energy future has been going on since the election campaign, and it took a new turn with the premature departure in January of Hydro-Quebec president and CEO Sophie Brochu, followed by the departure of other executives of the Crown corporation. The opposition then spoke of a "crisis" at Hydro-Québec.
While Premier François Legault has spoken at length about Hydro-Québec and future energy needs, including at the end of his party's pre-session caucus in January, he has never used the term "crisis" to describe the current situation.
He has consistently referred to the need to build new dams to provide the electricity needed to decarbonize Quebec's economy, namely to reach zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a goal to be reached by 2050 in accordance with international commitments.
Legault ventured to estimate that four or five more dams would be needed to provide electricity, without saying where they would be erected, while Hydro-Quebec is still updating its list of rivers that have potential to be harnessed.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Feb. 15, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most wanted fugitive in Canada arrested in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
The most wanted fugitive in Canada was arrested in Charlottetown, P.E.I., Tuesday night.
Poilievre unrepentant over calling Trudeau 'wacko' as his MPs say Speaker should resign
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he does not regret calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko,' and now his MPs are renewing calls for the House of Commons Speaker to resign, this time over ordering the Official Opposition leader to leave the chamber.
How can I tell if I have norovirus? Expert explains symptoms
The highly contagious norovirus is spreading across Canada, with some symptoms overlapping with other viruses. CTVNews.ca spoke with a health expert to find out how you can tell you have norovirus, the most common form of stomach flu, and what to do if you have it.
Doctors dealing with at least 160 Canadians suffering eye damage possibly linked to looking at the eclipse
Nearly a month after the total solar eclipse, at least 160 cases of eye damage have been reported across the country.
Ontario's police watchdog continues probe of high-speed pursuit involving fatal crash
The investigation continues into a collision that killed two grandparents and their infant grandchild during a high-speed police chase on the wrong way of Highway 401 east of Toronto.
Stranded cruise passengers in Spain race to catch up with their ship
A month after eight Norwegian Cruise Line passengers were stranded in Africa when their ship left without them because they were late getting back, a U.S. couple – ages 84 and 81 – were also left behind by the cruise line in Spain.
Blair says he couldn't sell cabinet on meeting 'magical threshold' of NATO target
Defence Minister Bill Blair says he couldn't convince the Liberal cabinet that Canada's government needed to meet NATO's spending target in its recent defence policy update.
BREAKING London Drugs stores remain closed for 4th straight day after 'cybersecurity incident'
Dozens of London Drugs stores in Western Canada remained closed for the fourth straight day following a "cybersecurity incident."
No criminal charges after 4 newborn bodies found in Boston freezer
A prosecutor in Massachusetts won't seek criminal charges against anyone, two years after four newborns were found in a freezer in a South Boston apartment.