Premier Appoints Oversight Committee for Churchill River Negotiations
Press Release
June 5, 2026
The Honourable Tony Wakeham, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced a three-member Churchill River Negotiations Oversight Committee that will provide oversight of the Provincial Government’s negotiating team as they begin discussions with Quebec regarding the development of the Churchill River.
Dan Levert will chair the committee and will be joined by members Julia Mullaley and Mike Jardine. The mandate for the committee and biographies can be found in the backgrounder below.
Premier Wakeham previously committed to appoint an oversight committee in response to the findings of the Churchill River Independent Review Committee that, in its official report, identified the need for stronger governance as part of any future negotiating process.
The role of the Churchill River Negotiations Oversight Committee is to monitor negotiations by receiving regular briefings from the negotiating team. The committee will then review and assess whether the conduct of the negotiations is reasonable and in compliance with the negotiation strategy.
Quote
“We are determined to reach a new deal to develop the Churchill River, but we are also mindful of the breakdown in the previous government’s oversight process that was highlighted in the Report of the Independent Review Committee. This new oversight committee will allow our negotiating team the flexibility to reach a better deal for Newfoundland and Labrador while ensuring they remain aligned with our government’s negotiating strategy and the broader public interest.”
Honourable Tony Wakeham
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
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BACKGROUNDER
Churchill River Negotiations Oversight Committee Mandate
On May 19, 2026, the Report of the Independent Review Committee (IRC) into the review of the MOU dated December 12, 2024, relating to the hydroelectric developments on the Churchill River, was released.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has indicated its willingness to commence negotiations with Quebec in relation to the Churchill River developments and will use the IRC report as a framework during the negotiations in advancing the Provincial Government’s position. The creation of the oversight committee was outlined in Recommendation 5 of the IRC Report.
The oversight committee consists of the following members:
- Dan Levert (Chair)
- Mike Jardine
- Julia Mullaley
The following are the guidelines that will assist the Churchill River Negotiations Oversight Committee (oversight committee) in undertaking its work.
- The role of the oversight committee is to monitor the negotiations by receiving regular briefings from the negotiating team. The oversight committee’s role is not to direct the negotiating team, but to review and assess whether the conduct of the negotiations is reasonable and in compliance with the negotiation strategy.
- In carrying out its role, the oversight committee will have regard to the importance of a well-defined and transparent negotiation framework, including clearly articulated objectives, and alignment with the Provincial Government’s long-term policy, fiscal, and public interest priorities.
- The oversight committee will report to the Clerk of the Executive Council and will inform on the progress of negotiations.
- The creation of the oversight committee is not meant to interfere in any way with the role and duties of the board of directors of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, which also has a governance role.
- The oversight committee shall review any proposed final agreement and assess whether it is consistent with the approved negotiating strategy.
- The oversight committee may draw on independent expertise as required to support its assessment of the negotiation process and strategy.
- All materials, discussions, records, and decisions of the oversight committee are confidential and shall be treated as such, given the commercially sensitive and strategic nature of the negotiations. The oversight committee shall comply with all applicable Government of Newfoundland and Labrador requirements respecting information management, security, access to information, and confidentiality. The oversight committee shall not disclose information except as authorized and remain bound by confidentiality obligations following the conclusion of their participation.
Biographies
Dan Levert
Dan Levert began his career as an engineer in heavy civil construction (hydro) and then became a lawyer practicing in construction law. He spent the majority of his career with the Kiewit Corporation, first as an engineer and then as in-house counsel. He was president and CEO of Engineers Canada (1998-2000) and served on the board of the Hebron Project Employers’ Association (2011-2015). As associate general counsel for Kiewit, he was involved with the development of the Voisey’s Bay mine and the Long Harbour processing plant, the White Rose topsides project in Marystown (2001-2006), and worked full-time as counsel on the Hebron gravity base structure until his retirement. Prior to his retirement from Kiewit in 2015, he was involved with numerous large infrastructure projects throughout Canada. He continues to consult to industry, including to the Site C Hydro Project main civil contractor (B.C.), and to the contractor who built the White Rose concrete gravity structure in Argentia. Mr. Levert chairs the board of the not-for-profit Ombudservice for Life and Health Insurance. A member of PEGNL and the Law Society of Alberta, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of New Brunswick and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Alberta.
Julia Mullaley
Julia Mullaley is an accomplished senior public sector executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience across government, legislative oversight, and Crown corporations. Throughout her career, she served as the clerk of Executive Council, auditor general, deputy minister, and chief executive officer. She has extensive experience in governance, public policy, strategic planning, financial stewardship, organizational transformation, and stakeholder engagement. Ms. Mullaley graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Co-operative) from Memorial University, followed by a chartered accountant professional designation (CPA, CA) as well as the Institute of Corporate Directors designation (ICD.D). She is a past recipient of the Faculty of Business Alumni Honour Award from Memorial University and the Public Service Award of Excellence. Over the years, she has actively participated in many professional and volunteer not-for-profit organizations.
Mike Jardine
Mike Jardine is a professional engineer with 38 years of experience in the electrical utility industry across engineering, operations, and major infrastructure project delivery. From October 2017 to June 2026, Mr. Jardine served as chief operating officer with Wataynikaneyap Power PM, a Fortis Ontario company, where he led teams through the design, procurement, construction and operational phases of the Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Project. Prior to joining Wataynikaneyap Power PM, Mr. Jardine held senior leadership roles with Newfoundland Power, serving as director of engineering from 2013 to 2017 and director of operations for Eastern Region/St. John’s from 2007 to 2013. Mr. Jardine began his career as a transmission line design and construction engineer and has extensive experience in utility infrastructure development including transmission, distribution and generation assets, operations leadership, and large-scale capital project execution. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) degree from Memorial University.
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