New Economy Canada has welcomed the federal government's announcement identifying five priority interprovincial and territorial transmission projects, marking a significant step toward implementing Canada's National Electricity Strategy. The initiative, supported by the Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit, aims to expand the electricity system to foster long-term economic growth. Stronger transmission connections are expected to enable electricity to flow where it is needed most, providing businesses with confidence in power availability for new facilities and major projects.

The prioritization of these projects is designed to address several key economic and operational challenges. By sharing power, provinces can optimize existing resources, reduce duplication, and lower system costs, thereby helping to keep electricity rates competitive. Additionally, improved interties will allow previously constrained regions to compete for investments in manufacturing, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, and clean technology by providing reliable access to clean and affordable electricity.

Merran Smith, President of New Economy Canada, emphasized that the announcement represents a long-overdue investment in Canada's economic future. She stated that as businesses electrify their operations, access to abundant and affordable electricity will increasingly determine investment and expansion decisions. Smith highlighted that stronger interties would give businesses greater confidence that the electricity system can support the next generation of industrial growth.

The construction of new transmission infrastructure is anticipated to generate demand for Canadian-made lower-carbon materials, including steel, cement, and electrical equipment. This development is expected to support domestic manufacturing, skilled trades, and supply chains across the country. The organization commended the collaboration between federal, provincial, and territorial governments in setting these priorities and expressed anticipation for the fall federal budget to build on this momentum.

New Economy Canada is a non-partisan initiative uniting over 70 companies, labour unions, and Indigenous organizations committed to accelerating investment in Canada's clean economy. The organization's partners employ or represent more than 485,000 workers.