Opportunities to learn more about the Churchill Falls MOU

econext members should be aware of a number of opportunities in the coming weeks to learn more about the Memorandum of Understanding between Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and Hydro-Québec.

‘Extraordinary Sitting’ of the House of Assembly

The Speaker has advised Members that the House of Assembly will reconvene on Monday, January 6 at 10:00 a.m. Proceedings will be broadcast live via the House of Assembly television channel and streamed via the House of Assembly website and social media channels (Facebook, X and YouTube). The public galleries will be open throughout the sitting. Information and protocols for visiting the public galleries are available on the House of Assembly website.

Webinars

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are invited to join Jennifer Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, and members of the negotiating team, for one of four online sessions to learn more about the details of the Churchill Falls Memorandum of Understanding signed on December 12, 2024. Four 90-minute community webinars will be held from January 12-14. Sessions will include a presentation from Ms. Williams, as well as a moderated question and answer session. Individuals can submit their questions within the webinar platform during the session. Those who are unable to stream the sessions via the Internet may register for a telephone only option.

Webinar times are:

  • Sunday, January 12: 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  • Monday, January 13: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  • Monday, January 13: 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, January 14: 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

To register, please visit www.ourchapter.ca.

SAVE THE DATE: econext 2025 Conference

Save the Date!

econext‘s 2025 Conference will be taking place October 9, 2025 at the Delta Hotel St. John’s. Stay tuned for more information.

Partnership

Are you interested in partnering with us on our conference? Click here for details and contact Colin Heffernan at heffernan@econext.ca with your interest.

JOB OPPORTUNITY: Green Career Development and Training Coordinator

Location: St. John’s, NL
Type: Full Time, 1-Year Contract with possibility of extension
Salary Range: $55,000 – $62,000

Background

econext is a not-for-profit association that accelerates clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador, working on behalf of over 200 members to foster environmentally sustainable economic development.

Newfoundland and Labrador is a province with immense clean growth potential. Its vast untapped clean energy resources provide for substantial renewable energy, hydrogen, and clean fuels opportunities. It is an innovator in creating value from waste streams, and is home to a world-leading cluster of environmental technology developers. Its current strengths in its natural resource sectors, from offshore oil and gas to mining, are helping to pave the way for the energy transition.

econext is looking for a Green Career Development and Training Coordinator to join its team at 235 Water Street in St. John’s, NL.

Job Description

The Green Career Development and Training Coordinator is a unique opportunity for the right candidate to support clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador. This position provide support for the effective execution of econext‘s initiatives relating to workforce development for the province’s green economy.

The Green Career Development and Training Coordinator will:

  • Plan and coordinate workforce and career development events, such as connector events, industry panels, and training sessions. 
  • Manage event logistics, including scheduling, venue arrangements, and stakeholder communications.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders, including employers, educational institutions, and community organizations, to ensure event success.
  • Work with job seekers, employers, and industry partners to facilitate work placement opportunities.
  • Manage and monitor the success of internship initiatives and partnerships, ensuring positive outcomes for both participants and employers.
  • Contribute to the development of training curriculum, content, and materials, including presentations, e-learning modules, handouts, and activities for workforce development

Qualifications

For this role, econext is looking for an individual with a vibrant and outgoing personality and a willingness to be proactive and self-directed in their work. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and has the capacity to think creatively address challenges and pursue opportunities as they arise.

The following qualifications would be considered an asset:

  • A university degree or college diploma;
  • Strong interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills;
  • Experience managing projects and initiatives;
  • Experience developing and delivering training and career development sessions;
  • The ability to multi-task; and
  • The ability to thrive both as a member of a team and independently.

Experiences in environment and green economy and/or in the development of training programs and the use of Learning Management Systems (LMS) are not a requirement, but background relating to these areas could be viewed as an asset.

Apply

econext offers a competitive benefits package and its staff work from a modern co-working environment in Downtown St. John’s. To apply, please send a resumé or CV with a cover letter (in one document) to hiring@econext.ca with the subject line “Application – Green Career Development and Training Coordinator.”

The deadline for submitting an application is 3:00 PM on January 16, 2025. However, econext is looking to fill this position as soon as possible. We encourage you to submit your application in advance of the deadline.

econext is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a work environment that supports, inspires, and respects all individuals, and in which personnel processes are merit-based and applied without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, gender identity, marital status, disability, national or ethnic origin, military service status, citizenship, or other protected characteristics.

Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Workshop


Did you know that ‘transportation’ is the single largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Newfoundland and Labrador? In 2022 transportation was responsible for 43% of the entire province’s emissions. Much of this is attributed to on-road transportation.

January 30, 2025 econext is hosting a workshop to provide an update on the latest initiatives and research relating to the decarbonization of transportation in Newfoundland and Labrador through the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and other zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) such as those that use clean fuels like hydrogen.

The agenda will include:

  • 9:00 – Overview of ZEV Adoption in NL
  • 9:10 – Research Findings: Medium to Heavy Duty EV (MHDEV) adoption in NL + sharing NL Hydro’s experience of their own fleet electrification – from St. John’s to Churchill Falls
  • 9:40 – Municipal Pilot Programs – Ongoing Light and Medium Duty EV Adoption Projects
  • 10:10 – Break
  • 10:30 – The Electrification of St. John’s Public Transit
  • 11:00 – Research Findings: Potential for Clean Fuels Use in Road Transportation in NL

Event Details

Date: January 30, 2025
Time: 9:00am – 11:30am
Location: Holiday Inn, St. John’s NL

Note that this event is also be available for participation online via webcast.

Registration Details

Member: $12 + HST
Non-Member: $20 + HST
Member Online: $12 + HST
Non-Member Online: $20 + HST

Registration includes coffee and light snacks.

Register Now

econext 2025 Conference

Save the Date!

econext‘s 2025 Conference will be taking place October 9, 2025 at the Delta Hotel St. John’s. Stay tuned for more information.

Partnership

Are you interested in partnering with us on our conference? Click here for details and contact Colin Heffernan at heffernan@econext.ca with your interest.

econext celebrates historic Churchill Falls agreement between Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec

For Immediate Release
December 13, 2024

econext is congratulating the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and its negotiating team on the historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed yesterday with Quebec to chart the future for Churchill Falls.

“The Churchill Falls hydroelectric resources are world class and are admired by all those econext and its members engage with nationally and internationally,” said Kieran Hanley, econext’s CEO. “We commend both provincial governments for seeing the importance and value of this enormous clean energy asset, and are excited and ready to contribute to its future development.”

The MOU signed between Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec includes an agreement to terminate and replace the 1969 Upper Churchill Contract, expand the capacity of the existing Churchill Falls plant, develop Gull Island, and build important new transmission infrastructure.

“Gull Island is well known across the continent as being one of the most attractive undeveloped hydroelectricity projects in North America,” said Hanley. “All told, this agreement will increase clean energy generation capacity in Labrador by almost 4GW, with the province maintaining majority ownership of the generation assets and having access to almost 2GW.”

Hanley said that the agreement will mean a number of things from a clean energy perspective. “First, this expanded access to clean energy will allow the province to attract new investment and new low-carbon industrial activity,” noting that it has the potential to enable new critical minerals activity in Labrador. “Second, this will mean many green jobs and business opportunities for people in our province over a sustained period of time.”

Also significant, said Hanley, is the involvement of the Innu Nation in the negotiations and the announcement of the MOU. “We are seeing a trend here in Newfoundland and Labrador where Indigenous groups are becoming directly involved in clean energy project development, and this is a very positive thing.”

Hanley observed that the MOU is the result of the hard work and determination of many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. “This MOU is a win for all parties to the agreement; econext would like to extend a congratulations to all of those involved.”

About econext

econext is a not-for-profit association with a mission to accelerate clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador by: (1) stimulating research, development, and innovation; (2) preparing its workforce for a greening economy; and (3) acting as a catalyst for climate change action within its industries, businesses, and communities.

econext has been working for over 30 years on behalf of its members across many sectors to support environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.

Abbie Hodder named CEO of Women in Resource Development Corporation

For Immediate Release
December 9, 2024

On Friday, econext‘s Chief Operating Officer Abbie Hodder was announced as the new CEO of the Women in Resource Development Corporation (WRDC).

“I know I speak for the econext team, Board of Directors, and membership in offering a big ‘Congratulations!’ to Abbie,” said Kieran Hanley, econext‘s CEO.

Abbie started with the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association in 2012, with her responsibilities growing over time to ultimately lead the organization’s international business development activities and take on the role of COO.

“Abbie has played such an important role in all of the success that econext has had these past years, and has been integral to the organization transforming from NEIA to become what it is today,” said Hanley. “We sure are going to miss her, but we know that her success at WRDC will be to everyone’s gain!”

Hanley noted that econext‘s recent research on expected clean energy industry job demands makes it clear that increasing women’s participation in trades and technology is going to be a key success factor. “WRDC has made an excellent selection; Abbie brings with her experiences and skills which are certain to help move the needle – as she has done with such effectiveness at econext these past years,” said Hanley.

Abbie will officially join the WRDC team in January 2025.

“We are so happy for Abbie and wish her the best in this new adventure.”

About econext

econext is a not-for-profit association with a mission to accelerate clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador by: (1) stimulating research, development, and innovation; (2) preparing its workforce for a greening economy; and (3) acting as a catalyst for climate change action within its industries, businesses, and communities.

econext has been working for over 30 years on behalf of its members across many sectors to support environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.

CEO Message – November 27, 2024

Help chart the course for NL’s future offshore wind industry

If you are interested in the future of offshore wind in Newfoundland and Labrador – whether that be from a technical, policy, socio-economic, developer, or environmental perspective – time is running out to provide your feedback on work completed on a regional assessment.

The Committee for the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador has released its draft final report which can be downloaded here.

The main purpose of the regional assessment is to contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of future impact assessments for specific projects. The report covers a wide range of topics from environmental impacts (i.e., acoustics, marine habitats, ocean life), to potential for conflict with other ocean users (i.e., fisheries, transportation, parks), to icebergs and sightlines. The report also makes recommendations on what areas are most appropriate for future licensing.

While the recommendations stemming from the report are not binding, they will certainly be taken seriously by federal/provincial regulators of a future offshore wind industry in the province. With this in mind, it is important for all interested parties to take a look at it through the lens of their expertise and make comment.

For its part, econext will be making a submission based on comments that we have received from our members through the life of the regional assessment. As you review, if you come across something that you strongly believe needs to be considered or adjusted, please let us know so that we can incorporate this into our own feedback.

As a heads up, you’ll need to set aside some time. The report is a hefty document sitting at 828 pages. Responses are due before midnight on November 29. For more information on how to provide feedback on the report, visit the regional assessment website.

// Kieran Hanley
CEO

econext recognizes strategic importance of newly announced Labrador West transmission study

For Immediate Release
November 13, 2024

Last week at the Mineral Resources Review 2024 Conference, the Government of Canada announced investment in a ‘Labrador West Transmission Study’ to help explore expanding transmission infrastructure in support of mining in Labrador West.

“This investment is an excellent example of the economic growth potential that a focus on decarbonization can have,” said Kieran Hanley, econext‘s CEO.

The funding announced will help Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro complete a study, which is the next step in understanding the requirements to build an additional transmission line between Churchill Falls and Labrador West. If this infrastructure were to be completed, it would make more clean energy resources available to existing and future critical minerals projects in the region.

“This could have three important impacts,” said Hanley.

“First, this could represent a significant investment into NL’s clean energy infrastructure – helping us to make the most of the world class hydro resources that we have while creating green jobs and business opportunities in the process.”

Second, Hanley said that the availability of additional clean electricity could allow mining operations in Western Labrador to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which would be a significant help to both industry and the province in meeting their climate change targets.

“Lastly, this could help to further position Newfoundland and Labrador as a clean energy and critical minerals powerhouse,” said Hanley, noting it will open the door to future low-carbon mining activities that will help supply the world with the materials that it needs to facilitate the energy transition.

“We applaud the efforts of Natural Resources Canada, our provincial government, NL Hydro, and industry to partner on initiatives like these which help to unlock the province’s economic potential.”

About econext

econext is a not-for-profit association with a mission to accelerate clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador by: (1) stimulating research, development, and innovation; (2) preparing its workforce for a greening economy; and (3) acting as a catalyst for climate change action within its industries, businesses, and communities.

econext has been working for over 30 years on behalf of its members across many sectors to support environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.

Holiday Social

Date: Tuesday, December 10th, 2024
Time: 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Emera Innovation Center, 100 Signal Hill Road, St. John’s, NL, A1A 1B3

Join us for our 2024 Holiday Social!

econext, Atlantic Canada Aerospace & Defense, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, and Oceans Advance invite you to join us for a festive holiday social! Come celebrate the season, connect with fellow professionals, and reflect on our shared successes from the past year.

This event is by donation to either Heavenly Creatures or the Community Food Sharing Association. Space is limited, so please RSVP using the link below by Tuesday December 3, 2024.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Get Tickets Now

Interested in partnering with us for this event? Contact Colin Heffernan, Manager of Industry and Community Engagement, at heffernan@econext.ca.

Heavenly Creatures is a no kill animal charity with no government or corporate funding. They have a pet food bank in addition to providing medical assistance to animals in need from low-income families.

Community Food Sharing Association is a pivotal agency for food distribution to the hungry in Newfoundland & Labrador. The St. John’s office and warehouse manages the collection and distribution of food through 54 food banks to more than 10,700 children, women, and men throughout Newfoundland & Labrador.