Province to build two hydroelectric stations in the north in partnership with First Nations

Two hydroelectric stations will be built in northern Ontario in partnership with Moose Cree First Nation, Takwa Tagamou Nation and Ontario Power Generation.

Two new hydroelectric stations will be built in northern Ontario in partnership with Moose Cree First Nation, Takwa Tagamou Nation and Ontario Power Generation.

Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Mines, made the announcement in Timmins on Wednesday.

Lecce said there is a growing demand for energy, and it’s been 10 years since a new hydroelectric station was built in Ontario.

“We need more power in this province -- 81 per cent more power in northern Ontario (and) 75 per cent more power in all of Ontario,” he said.

“I think hydro power (is) the cleanest, most affordable, reliable option on the map.”

Lecce said the generating stations will take seven to eight years to complete and Indigenous leaders will be involved every step of the way.

The new stations will be located on the Abitibi and Mattagami Rivers.

There at the beginning

“In the past, we’ve always come in sort of midway through the project or halfway or later in the projects,” said Chief Peter Wesley of Moose Cree First Nation.

“This time, the biggest difference we’re in there at the beginning, which is what we’ve always asked for, to be part of the discussion on any future project within our homeland.”

Candice Tourville, business development officer for Taykwa Tagamou Nation, said for the next year and a half, her community will be kept informed of the stations’ development.

“And from there, the community will have the vote on if they want to move ahead with development or not,” said Tourville.

She said field studies will be conducted this year on the two selected sites: Nine Mile Rapids and Grand Rapids.

“We want to make sure that our community members, our neighbours, our aunties and uncles, have that say in what’s going to happen,” Tourville said.

Power for 430,000 homes

“It’s not only their backyard, it’s their front yard. It’s where people have hunted and fished and camped. We have historical ties to those areas.”

If approved, the stations could produce enough power for the equivalent of 430,000 homes.

“So if you’re thinking about all the mining discussions that are going on, it’s always good to have, you know, some northern, generating assets,” said Heather Ferguson, senior vice-president, business development and corporate affairs, with Ontario Power Generation.

“Also, you know, the transmission piece. You can’t just transmit everything way, way, way up north. You need to have opportunities to have your generation in the north.”

“We’re seeing a lot of these big electricity users that have shown an interest in the area, we want to welcome them all into Timmins and area, but in order to do that, we do need to build our electricity capacities in the region,” said Timmins Mayor Michelle Boileau.

“We’ve got what the world wants and needs and in our backyard, we’re going to need energy to capitalize on all of the potential,” said George Pirie, Ontario’s Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth.

“I mean, agriculture, forestry, mining and manufacturing and we’ve got to do it quick.”

Lecce said the decision to build the two hydroelectric stations was made independently of U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war, but added it feels good to know the stations will be made in Canada, with Canadian technology and by Canadian workers.