Canada announces $50 billion clean energy plan

Canada announced a clean energy plan worth nearly CAN$70 billion, or $50.5 billion, aimed at expanding wind and hydropower generation in the country's east.

The tentative agreement involves Prime Minister Mark Carney's government, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador. It includes plans to upgrade the Churchill Falls generating station and develop a new hydro project on Gull Island, both in Labrador on Canada's Atlantic coast.

Some of the new power would be sent to Quebec, where Hydro-Quebec would sell a significant amount of electricity into the northeastern United States.

Carney's office called the project the largest clean energy investment in North American history. Carney said that, if it moves forward, the power generated would be enough to light, heat and cool homes in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver combined.

The agreement could face a political obstacle in Quebec. At the signing ceremony in Newfoundland, Quebec Premier Christine Frechette said the separatist Parti Quebecois could cancel the deal if it wins provincial elections in October, an outcome current polls suggest is likely.

The Canadian Climate Institute welcomed the announcement, saying it showed the ambition needed to reach Canada's goal of doubling the electricity grid with clean energy.