- Canada cuts off or throttles electricity to the US by December 31?2¢2%
Ongoing US-Canada trade tensions, including tariffs, have prompted repeated threats from Ontario Premier Doug Ford to restrict electricity exports to states like New York, Michigan, and Minnesota as leverage. However, these have produced only brief surcharges without sustained action. Recent developments, including Ontario's new imports from US sources to offset nuclear refurbishments and Hydro-Quebec's shift toward net imports amid low reservoir levels and expanded US contracts, underscore mutual grid interdependence across dozens of transmission lines. Provincial utilities continue net exports while facing domestic supply constraints, and bilateral trade talks remain active. Trader consensus at 99.5% for no cutoff by December 31 reflects these structural and economic barriers, though an abrupt escalation in tariffs or provincial directives before year-end could still alter outcomes.
Rules
This market will resolve to "Yes" if Canada, through an authorized representative of either the federal government or a provincial government, including through a state-owned enterprise, announces that it is using its authority to cut off or throttle the exportation of electricity, in whole or in part, to the United States between market creation and December 31, 2026, 11:59 PM ET. Otherwise, this market will resolve to "No". Reductions or curtailments attributable to water or supply conditions, grid reliability, maintenance, commercial or contractual factors, or other ordinary-course operational decisions will not qualify. An announcement of a qualifying action will suffice for a "Yes" resolution, regardless of whether electricity exports are actually throttled or cut off, and regardless of whether the action is subsequently suspended or reversed. A qualifying action must restrict the volume or flow of electricity exports. The imposition of surcharges, taxes, tariffs, or other price-based measures alone will not be sufficient to qualify. Statements that Canada or a province may take, is considering taking, or will take such action only if a condition is met or unmet will not qualify. The primary resolution source for this market will be official information from the Canadian federal or provincial governments; however, a consensus of credible reporting may also be used.