The federal government says it may become financially involved in expansion plans by Hydro Quebec – that includes development in Labrador.

Ottawa has announced some details of an ambitious plan to double the electricity grid by 2050 – and the Prime Minister mentioned Newfoundland/Labrador and Quebec in today’s news conference.

Mark Carney is talking about connecting provincial power grids across the country.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s attempts to gain access to the Quebec grid has been denied at all levels over the decades, but Carney is indicating that there will be consultations with the provinces.

“We need a partnership across the country to build new hydro, new nuclear, renewable power. It’s hydro in Quebec and Newfoundland and nuclear in New Brunswick and Ontario.”

Carney says Quebec’s plans over the next decade would cost about $145-billion, but that Ottawa will be offering a refundable tax credit that will amount to a lot of money and be a major incentive.

He says it will allow Hydro Quebec to accelerate its plans.

The PM mentioned that the hydro developments on the Churchill affect another province as well, namely, Newfoundland and Labrador.

The two provinces reached an MOU on hydro development in Labrador a year-and-a-half ago, but that deal is in limbo with the current government’s take on it expected next week.

The Prime Minister also says his government will make it easier for Canadians to switch to electricity from more expensive forms of energy, such as oil and propane.