July 23, 2026 Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island Natural Resources Canada
With electricity demand expected to double by 2050, the challenges our grid faces in 2026 have outgrown province-by-province approaches, and the costs of fragmentation are rising. That is why the Government of Canada is working with provinces and territories to build a stronger, more interconnected electricity system that supports affordability, reliability, security and prosperity from coast to coast to coast.
Today, on the margins of the First Ministers' Meeting in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, the Premiers of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance Maritime Regional Electricity Co-operation and System Integration, supported by the Government of Canada. The MOU establishes a collaborative process to identify regulatory, legislative and operational opportunities for greater regional electricity planning and co-operation and to develop a shared roadmap for a more integrated electricity system in the Maritimes.
Over the past five years, energy costs in Atlantic Canada have increased significantly, outpacing growth in median household incomes and GDP. At the same time, system constraints are now limiting economic development and productivity, and the capital required to maintain reliability and advance decarbonization has grown. Under the new MOU, the three Maritime systems co-ordinating as one could mean lower costs for Maritime families and businesses, better reliability during inclement weather or demand spikes, and the ability to attract the capital investment our economy needs. This first-of-a-kind-in-Canada approach is a significant step toward strengthening the region's long-term energy security and economic competitiveness and could unlock renewable development, improve system flexibility and reduce investment duplication.
In alignment with the collaborative approach set out in Powering Canada Forward: Canada's National Electricity Strategy, the Government of Canada worked with the Maritime provinces to develop this MOU and will continue to work with provinces to identify and support stronger regional co-operation, integrated system planning and expanded interprovincial electricity connections.
As part of its commitment to building one strong, secure, affordable Canadian economy, the Government of Canada will continue with a Team Canada approach to advance a stronger, more connected electricity system and energy and economic security for all Canadians.
