TL;DR
- CUSMA/USMCA’s first six‑year joint review formally opens today (July 1); Washington and Mexico wrapped a second bilateral round June 15–17, with a third set for late July, while U.S. rhetoric has hardened. (globalnews.ca)
- Montreal International Jazz Festival drew an exceptional free‑show crowd on June 27 (Angine de Poitrine); media also reported six spectators hospitalized. (qub.ca)
- Hydro‑Québec proposed a new residential rate tier for “high‑consumption” households (June 30), following spring rulings by the Régie de l’énergie. (news.hydroquebec.com)
- Hydro‑Québec and the Innu First Nation of Nutashkuan signed the Menuitsheutun Agreement (June 26) to reset their relationship and enable co‑development in future projects. (news.hydroquebec.com)
- REM financing/expansion: CDPQ Infra completed a C$1.85B inaugural green‑bond issuance (June 22) and kicked off planning for two additional downtown stations (June 16). (prod.cdpqinfra.com)
CUSMA/USMCA review formally begins; tone turns tougher
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- The first six‑year joint review of CUSMA/USMCA opens today, July 1, 2026; Global News reports a first trilateral meeting on the day. (globalnews.ca)
- Important context and background information
- The U.S. and Mexico concluded a second bilateral round (June 15–17) ahead of the review; USTR says a third round will occur the week of July 20. (ustr.gov)
- Recent developments or changes
- On June 17, President Trump said the U.S. “would do better without” USMCA, heightening uncertainty as talks start. (investing.com)
Montreal Jazz Fest: record‑scale crowd and safety incidents at June 27 headliner
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- Angine de Poitrine’s free set on June 27 drew an exceptionally large crowd at Place des Festivals; local outlets described police‑managed access due to density. (qub.ca)
- Important context and background information
- The concert was part of the festival’s official program on the TD outdoor stage. (montrealjazzfest.com)
- Recent developments or changes
- QUB/24 Heures reported six spectators hospitalized during the performance. (qub.ca)
Hydro‑Québec files new “high‑consumption” residential rate proposal
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- On June 30, Hydro‑Québec proposed adding a third tier to Rate D—13¢/kWh above 35,000 kWh/year—targeting about 5% of households with very high usage (e.g., heated pools/driveways). HQ estimates potential savings of 400 GWh. (news.hydroquebec.com)
- Important context and background information
- The Régie de l’énergie’s March decisions set average increases around 3.2% from April 1 and pushed HQ to revisit certain proposals this year. (regie-energie.qc.ca)
- Recent developments or changes
- The new filing responds to past regulatory feedback; details now move through the Régie’s approval process. (news.hydroquebec.com)
Innu First Nation of Nutashkuan–Hydro‑Québec “Menuitsheutun” agreement
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- Signed June 26, the agreement reframes HQ–Nutashkuan relations around reconciliation, participation in permitting, and co‑development (hydro, transmission, wind). (news.hydroquebec.com)
- Important context and background information
- It addresses legacy impacts and enables future Indigenous participation in major projects, including potential wind capacity up to 2,500 MW on Nutashkuan land. (news.hydroquebec.com)
- Recent developments or changes
- Quebec ministers and HQ leadership framed it as a template for broader partnerships during the energy transition. (news.hydroquebec.com)
REM financing and expansion steps
- Key facts and current state of the topic
- CDPQ Infra closed a C$1.85B inaugural green‑bond issuance for the REM on June 22—one of the largest of its kind for a Canadian transit project. (prod.cdpqinfra.com)
- Important context and background information
- On June 16, CDPQ Infra, Quebec and Montréal launched the planning phase for two additional stations: Griffintown–Bernard‑Landry and a new Bridge–Wellington area stop, backed by added CIB and provincial funding. (prod.cdpqinfra.com)
- Recent developments or changes
- Work will proceed through studies and procurement over an estimated four‑year schedule, with synchronized construction to limit service impacts. (prod.cdpqinfra.com)