By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
In a historic milestone, five First Nations have teamed up with Hydro One as co-owners of the Chatham-to-Lakeshore Transmission Line.
Partners in the project include the Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Caldwell First Nation, Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation and Walpole Island First Nation.
The initiative marks another historic first as the transmission line becomes the inaugural project completed through the utility’s industry-leading First Nation Equity Partnership Model. It means that area First Nation bands could invest in up to a 50-per-cent equity stake to own a critical piece of Ontario’s electricity system.
Walpole Island First Nation Bkejwanong Territory Chief Leela Thomas said the partnership agreement “reflects a level of trust” that hasn’t always existed in infrastructure development.
“Our partnership with Hydro One is built on transparency, respect and shared responsibility,” Thomas said in a media release. “And that leads to decisions that better serve our communities and the electricity system as a whole.”
As electricity demand grows across Ontario, Hydro One and First Nation partners are advancing one of the largest transmission line infrastructure portfolios in Canada.
Drawing on generations of stewardship, First Nation leadership and Indigenous knowledge strengthens projects and helps support long‑term economic prosperity for communities across the province.
According to a media release from Hydro One, the line was completed a year ahead of schedule and came in $30 million below budget.
