FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2026
CALGARY, AB – The Indigenous Power Coalition (IPC) welcomes the Government of Canada's commitments in Budget 2026 to expand Canada's electricity infrastructure, strengthen interprovincial transmission connections, and support Indigenous ownership in major infrastructure projects. Budget 2026 represents an important step toward building a more connected, reliable, and resilient electricity system.
Through the National Electricity Strategy, the federal government has committed more than $50 billion to support the expansion of Canada's electricity system, including nearly $4 billion over ten years for electricity infrastructure expansion, renewable energy, and priority electricity projects, and $37 million in 2027–28 to advance cost-benefit analysis and cost-allocation discussions for proposed interprovincial electricity interties.
"Canada's growing electricity needs, Indigenous reconciliation, economic ambitions, and energy security priorities require us to think differently about how we plan, develop, and connect our electricity systems," said Kwatuuma Cole Sayers, Executive Director of the Indigenous Power Coalition. "We welcome the federal government's recognition that stronger interprovincial connections are essential to Canada's economic future and that meaningful investment is needed to move these projects forward."
The Coalition is particularly encouraged by the federal government's commitment to addressing the economic and financial barriers that have historically limited interprovincial transmission development. The proposed investment in cost-benefit analysis and cost-allocation discussions is an important step toward overcoming these barriers. IPC’s partnered initiative, Western Transmission Catalysts, recently released a proposed framework to help decision-makers turn competing interests around new interprovincial transmission lines into collective wins.
As Canada moves from planning to implementation, the Coalition sees a significant opportunity to strengthen support for First Nations-led transmission development. This includes ensuring Indigenous proponents have access to early-stage development capital, technical capacity, and financing mechanisms needed to advance projects from initial planning through development and construction. Addressing these barriers will be important to ensuring First Nations can lead major infrastructure projects, rather than only participate once projects are already developed.
The Coalition also welcomes the continued emphasis on Indigenous economic participation and ownership, including the federal Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program.
"First Nations have an important opportunity to help shape Canada's next generation of electricity infrastructure," continued Sayers. "That means moving beyond consultation and participation toward meaningful leadership in how projects are planned, governed, developed, and owned. Indigenous leadership can help build the partnerships needed to advance major electricity projects while ensuring lasting economic and community benefits."
As the federal government moves toward implementation of Budget 2026 and the National Electricity Strategy, the Coalition encourages continued collaboration with First Nations, provinces, territories, utilities, and grid operators to establish practical pathways for advancing interprovincial transmission projects.
"Canada has made clear that strengthening and connecting our electricity grids is a national priority. The next step is ensuring we have the partnerships, financing mechanisms, and development supports necessary to deliver," said Sayers. "First Nations can play a central role in that work, helping build an electricity system that strengthens Canada's economy and creates lasting benefits for First Nations, provinces and territories, and future generations."
About the Indigenous Power Coalition
The Indigenous Power Coalition works to advance Indigenous leadership, development, and ownership of major electricity infrastructure projects, with a focus on strengthening Canada's electricity systems and creating long-term economic opportunities for Indigenous Nations.
About the Western Transmission Catalysts
The Western Transmission Catalysts (WTC) is a multi-year collaborative initiative launched by the Indigenous Power Coalition (IPC), uniting academia, Indigenous Nations, industry, and civil society. WTC is working coalition of economists, engineers, lawyers, and Indigenous professionals with the relationships and track record to produce analysis that gets used and to convene conversations that lead to results.
Media Contact:
Kwatuuma Cole Sayers
info@indigenouspowercoalition.com
