Hydro-Qubec board members resign as CAQ government seeks to kill wind-energy deal

Two members ofHydro-Qubec's board of directors, including chairMichaelPenner, have resigned amid reports thenew provincial government is taking steps tocancel a wind-energy project they supported.

Penner andvice-chair MichelleCormierannounced they were stepping down earlier this week, sources told Radio-Canada.

They were backers of theApuiatwind project on the North Shore. A provisional agreement reached in the summer would have seen the utility buy energy from a 200-megawatt wind farm run in partnership with the Innu community and Boralex, arenewable energy firm.

The deal was championed by the previous Liberal government and is seen by Innu leaders as vital to the community'seconomic development.

But it was opposed byHydro'spresident and CEO,ricMartel, who saidthe utility already has an energy surplus and was unlikely to turn a profit.

In announcing their resignation, Pennerand Cormiercited "broken trust" with Hydro's senior leadership, according to Radio-Canada's sources.

Legault cited Apuiatdeal during campaign

During the recent election campaign,CoalitionAvenirQubecLeader FranoisLegaultpointed to Martel's opposition in criticizing the deal.

For Legault, itrepresented the inefficient government spending of the Liberal government.

After taking power last month, Legault'steam authorized Hydro to find a way to cancel theApuiatdeal, Radio-Canada reported recently.

Pennerwas appointed by PhilippeCouillard's government in 2014 with a term set to end in 2023.Cormierwas appointed by Jean Charest's Liberal government in 2009.

Pennerhad come to the conclusion that his days were numbered and that theLegaultgovernment intended to replace him, according to a report by the The Canadian Press.

It is unknown if the process to replace the two directors is underway.