Wabun First Nations partner with Hydromega to produce multimillion dollar power project
By Xavier Kataquapit
Chapleau Ojibwe First Nation and Brunswick House First Nation leaders announced February 15th the signing of an Agreement in Principal with Hydromega, a waterpower company based in Montreal QC. This agreement means the formation of a formal business partnership to develop major power projects.
Ceremony participants included: back row from L-R: Shawn Batise, Executive Director, Wabun Tribal Council; Denis Brouard, Project Manager, Hydromega; Jean Pierre Lepage, Vice President, Development and Construction, Hydromega; Bob Johnston, District Manager Chapleau, Ministry of Natural Resources; Stephane Boyer, Project Manager, Hydromega; Councillor and Elder Theresa Memegoes, Chapleau Ojibwe First Nation and Councillor Leona Panamick, Chapleau Ojibwe FN. Front row from L-R: Chief Andrew Neshawabin, Brunswick House FN; Jacky Cerceau, President-Director General, Hydromega and Chief Anita Stephens, Chapleau Ojibwe First Nation.
This new partnership is the culmination of several years of development and negotiations among the two First Nations, Wabun Tribal Council, Hydromega and the Ministry of Natural Resources. The partnership will see the creation of three waterpower projects and four powerhouses on Old Woman Falls, Big Beaver Falls and White Otter Falls along the Kapuskasing River. This $70 million dollar development will produce a total of 20 megawatts of power in run of the river, low environmental impact power generation. This is the first such power generation project produced under the Ontario government’s new waterpower site release policy.
Chief Anita Stephens, Chapleau Ojibwe First Nation considers this power project as a long term investment for her community.
“We are gathered here today to celebrate the first of what I hope will be many results of working together in sharing the resources of the land. This is a precedent and it will lead the way for other First Nations,” said Chief Stephens.
In signing this agreement, Chief Andrew Neshawabin, Brunswick House First Nation explained that his community is eager to benefit from any employment and revenue generation that will come through this power generation project.
“For too many years we have been excluded from resource development. This project with Hydromega will help us in terms of our future goals in project development, housing projects and advancing our First Nation for our future generations,” said Chief Neshawabin.
Hydromega will construct and develop the power generating facilities. The company has more than 16 years of experience in building small scale power generation sites including several run of the river projects.
“I feel very good about this project as it is a great example of what a First Nation and non-Native company can do together in the spirit of cooperation to assure long term benefits for everyone,” said Jacky Cerceau, President-Director General, Hydromega Services Inc.
Stephane Boyer, Project Manager, Hydromega Services Inc. has been working closely with Wabun Tribal Council, Chapleau Ojibwe FN and Brunswick House FN in developing this project.
“This is a milestone project in terms of partnering with these two First Nations. It has been a success, in that these two First Nations are working as true partners and stake holders in this project,” said Stephane Boyer, Project Manager, Hydromega.
Wabun Tribal Council has had a prominent role in the development of this partnership. The council worked with the Ministry of Natural Resources in the creation of a Waterpower Site Release and Development Review Policy with the foresight that potential development would take place on Wabun First Nation territories. The new policy which was established in 2004 by the provincial government includes a requirement for potential waterpower developers to contact First Nations whenever development will affect First Nation territories. The council also worked with its two member First Nations to establish a partnership with Hydromega on the development of waterpower projects on the Kapuskasing River.
“In Wabun Tribal Council’s history in dealing with resource-based development companies, this is the first time we have established a true partnership that provides a fair deal for our First Nations,” said Shawn Batise, Executive Director, Wabun Tribal Council.
The next step for the development of the Kapuskasing Waterpower projects will be the formation of a legal partnership which will include an initial minority ownership for the two First Nations.