Energy: The Ambition Quebec Can No Longer Postpone

Quebec’s next government will not be judged only on its ability to manage public finances, public services or the economy. It will also be judged on a defining question: did it give Quebec the energy needed to support its ambitions?

Energy growth will be one of the greatest political, economic and environmental challenges of the coming years. Yet it is still too often treated as a technical issue, when it should be at the centre of the next election campaign. Producing, transmitting and making available the energy required for decarbonization, competitiveness and economic development will require clear choices, and those choices should be debated publicly.

In a context shaped by economic uncertainty, trade tensions with the United States and growing competition among North American jurisdictions for investment, energy can no longer be pushed to the margins. It must become one of the major questions put to parties and their leaders.

Quebec built a significant part of its prosperity on energy. Major hydroelectric projects developed regions, attracted investment, created high-quality jobs and gave Quebec a unique competitive advantage in North America.

That advantage can no longer be taken for granted.

The electrification of transportation, artificial intelligence, data centres, critical minerals and advanced manufacturing are creating unprecedented energy demand. The jurisdictions able to meet that demand will attract tomorrow’s investment, projects and jobs.

Energy availability is already becoming a determining factor in investment decisions. If energy is not available at the right time, some projects will not simply be delayed: they will go elsewhere.

Decarbonization remains essential. But the challenge is now to reduce emissions while preserving Quebec’s ability to attract investment, support its businesses and develop new industrial projects.

Hydroelectricity will remain the cornerstone of Quebec’s energy model. It is our greatest competitive advantage and one of the primary drivers of decarbonization.

But the scale of future needs requires a broader conversation. The energy debate should not become a contest between pathways. It should focus on Quebec’s real capacity to deliver the energy required, in the right place and at the right time.

The objective is not to favour one energy pathway, but to build an energy portfolio capable of meeting demand without sacrificing decarbonization, competitiveness or economic growth.

This discussion extends well beyond Quebec’s borders. Across North America, governments are competing to attract investment tied to advanced technologies and the energy transition. In that competition, access to energy has become a strategic advantage.

Quebec nonetheless possesses exceptional strengths: internationally recognized expertise, abundant natural resources and clean energy that is the envy of many jurisdictions.

The last century made Quebec a global benchmark in clean energy. The next chapter will depend on our ability to plan now for the energy growth we will need.

Political parties seeking to govern Quebec should therefore clearly explain how they intend to meet this growing demand. The next election campaign should allow for a real debate on Quebec’s energy growth, because without available energy, there will be no successful transition, no durable competitiveness and no economic ambition equal to Quebec’s potential.