Poilievre says Quebecers aren’t pushing for Labrador border compensation
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre told reporters in St. John’s that Quebec voters have not made the Labrador border issue a priority and urged focus on everyday concerns.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre dismissed the Parti Québécois suggestion that Canada compensate Quebec for the loss of Labrador in exchange for a revised Churchill Falls energy agreement, saying no Quebecer he has spoken to has prioritized the border issue. Speaking in St. John’s, he emphasized that Quebecers are more concerned with affordable groceries, gas, homes and safer streets, urging all parties to focus on those matters.
The PQ’s energy critic Pascal Paradis argued that the 1927 Judicial Committee of the Privy Council decision granting Labrador to Newfoundland warrants indemnity, linking it to a renegotiation of the 2024 memorandum of understanding between Hydro-Québec and N.L. Hydro. Hydro-Québec and N.L.
Hydro are drafting a new MOU to develop Gull Island and expand Churchill Falls capacity, with Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette expressing confidence in concluding talks and Newfoundland Premier Tony Wakeham noting progress. The original 2024 MOU, signed by François Legault and Andrew Furey, replaced the disputed 1969 deal, but Wakeham’s 2025 government pledged a review. Prime Minister Mark Carney had offered to help broker a fair deal, while Poilievre said the two provinces should negotiate bilaterally. With the Quebec election approaching and the PQ leading in polls, the border compensation debate appears low on voters’ priorities.
Why it matters
It shows that Quebec voters are focused on daily economic issues rather than historic border disputes ahead of a key provincial election.
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