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QUEBEC — Allowing Ontario workers to help build dams in Quebec to increase hydro exports is a “win-win” for both provinces, says Premier François Legault.

Despite an immediate backlash from Quebec’s powerful union movement, which fears job losses, Legault defended the idea that he floated during his meeting with Ontario Premier Doug Ford earlier this week.

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Arriving Wednesday for a meeting of the Quebec cabinet, Legault reminded reporters that Ontario is preparing to invest $20 billion in upgrading the aging Pickering, Darlington and Bruce CANDU nuclear generating power plants.

But Quebec can offer the province a cheaper option in the form of its surplus power. The only obstacle in the past to this idea has been the jobs issue and he believes it can be overcome.

“There are two possibilities: There are no dams and no jobs (created) either in Quebec or Ontario, or there are new dams, we serve Ontario and there are jobs in Quebec and jobs in Ontario,” Legault said.