In its monthly update on energy trends, Statistics Canada reported this week that this year, for the first time ever, Canada has become a net importer of electricity.

Hydroelectricity shortfall drives electricity trade deficit in April
Reduced electricity generation has resulted in lower export levels as well as an increased reliance on imports. Imports of electricity from the United States climbed 79.0% year over year to 2.6 million MWh in April, while exports to the United States fell 64.4% to 1.7 million MWh. Canada is generally a net electricity exporter, but April marked the third consecutive month that imports have exceeded exports. In April, exports fell to the lowest level recorded since this series was redesigned in 2016.

The ["]switchover["] in our electricity trade balance reveals the shortcomings of an energy strategy that now emphasizes de-carbonization over energy security, leaving customers vulnerable to supply shortfalls and higher prices.

financialpost | Alberta updates electricity rules to help lower utility bills (11.03.24): "Economic withholding" is when power producers deliberately hold back [embargo?] some of their supply, offering it at a higher price. The practice is not illegal, but has been highly criticized recently as one of the factors contributing to soaring consumer power bills in the province, as well as a growing number of occurrences where power prices in the province have been higher during off-peak periods than during periods of peak demand.

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Canada's plan to lower greenhouse gas emissions largely depends on hydro power supplying most of our rapidly growing energy needs. We remain ambivalent about nuclear power, with Ontario and New Brunswick the only two provinces producing it after the Parti Québécois government closed Quebec's only nuclear plant in 2012.