The Government of Canada will announce new clean energy projects focused on energy security and economic development in Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec. Prime Minister Mark Carney will deliver remarks at the event in St. John's on August 17, 2026, alongside Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham and Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette.

Officials will hold an embargoed technical briefing for accredited members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery ahead of the official disclosure. The embargo on briefing materials remains in effect until the start of the Prime Minister's address.

Briefing Details

The technical briefing is scheduled for Monday, August 17, 2026, at 9:00 am ET. It will be held in a hybrid format, with in-person attendance at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa and virtual access via Zoom.

Participation in the question and answer portion is restricted to accredited Press Gallery members. Non-accredited media may contact pressres2@parl.gc.ca for temporary access. The briefing will be on background and not-for-attribution basis.

Accessing Materials

Participants can receive embargoed documents by contacting Media Relations at Natural Resources Canada. By accepting these materials, participants agree to maintain the embargo until the Prime Minister begins his remarks. Breaching the terms may result in exclusion from future government briefings.

Event Coverage

Media wishing to cover the announcement event are asked to contact media@pmo-cpm.gc.ca to confirm their attendance. Details on how to participate will be provided upon registration. Media are asked to arrive no later than 1:00 p.m. local time for the 1:45 p.m. start.

The Government of Canada announced $3.7 million in funding on August 12, 2026, to support the construction of five transitional housing units in La Tuque, Quebec. This investment targets the housing crisis by establishing the first second-stage transitional home for Indigenous people in the region.

Project Details

The funding is allocated through the Indigenous Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative (ISTHI). The project will provide a safe living environment rooted in the culture and realities of the Atikamekw Nation. Residents will have access to support services provided by the Atikamekw Nation Council (ANC) Social Services Department, aimed at helping them regain stability and secure permanent housing.

Official Statements

The announcement was made by François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, and Caroline Desrochers, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure. They were joined by Pierre Pacarar, Mayor of La Tuque, and Constant Awashish, Grand Chief and President of the Atikamekw Nation Council.

Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, stated that the government is investing in affordable housing across Canada to create jobs and improve quality of life. He emphasized building a new generation of housing in communities where it is needed.

Champagne noted that having a safe place to live is essential for stability. He highlighted that these new homes will offer members of the Atikamekw Nation a living environment respectful of their realities, along with the support needed to move toward permanent housing.

Desrochers described the project as a concrete example of the government's commitment to delivering housing solutions for La Tuque and communities across the country. She expressed pride in the tangible difference the initiative will make for community members.

Mayor Pacarar acknowledged the real housing shortage in the agglomeration, noting that vulnerable individuals have been hardest hit. He stated that every project providing affordable social housing makes a big difference for the community.

Grand Chief Awashish commended the initiative by Atikamekw Onikam Social Services and the ANC. He said the transitional housing project addresses an essential need for people facing difficult circumstances, helping residents move forward on their path to stability and well-being.

Program Context

This project falls under the mandate of Build Canada Homes, a newly launched Government of Canada entity tasked with increasing the pace of affordable homebuilding. The entity works with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous communities, and private developers to fight homelessness and increase the supply of transitional, supportive, and community housing.

The $724.1 million ISTHI was launched in November 2021 to support construction of additional shelters and transitional housing for Indigenous women, children, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people fleeing gender-based violence. The program has now ended.