Poplar Hill First Nation and Government of Canada celebrate community's connection to clean and reliable energy through Indigenous-led Wataynikaneyap Power project
POPLAR HILL FIRST NATION, ON, Jan. 29, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Poplar Hill First Nation is joined by the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, to celebrate the community's connection to the Ontario power grid, marking an end to their community's reliance on expensive, emissions-intensive diesel-generated electricity.
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) invested approximately $1.6 billion in the Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project, an Indigenous-led and majority-owned project working to connect 16 First Nation communities to the Ontario power grid.
Poplar Hill is the 13th First Nation energized by the provincial power grid through the Wataynikaneyap Power transmission system. The completion and energization of the transmission line to the First Nation will provide the community with clean, safe and reliable energy that will better support the well-being of the community. Over 40 years, the Wataynikaneyap Power Project is estimated to result in over 6.6 million tonnes of avoided CO2 equivalent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which is comparable to taking almost 35,000 cars off the road.
Today's milestone represents an innovative Indigenous-led solution to address longstanding barriers to community growth and stability. The Government of Canada will continue to invest in remote First Nations to produce their own power to minimize the impact on the environment and increase access to reliable energy, which will provide enhanced opportunities to improve essential community services and build new infrastructure.
Quotes
'We are so pleased to be celebrating with Poplar Hill First Nation today. This has been a remarkable journey, which started over 20 years ago. The work continues for a brighter future for all.'
Eliezar Mckay
First Nation LP Board Chair
'Congratulations Poplar Hill on your connection to the power grid! I want to acknowledge that, along with the other IPA communities, Poplar Hill First Nation's vision for their Independent Power Authority is ownership, capacity building, and becoming self-reliant in their power distribution services. Unfortunately, due to costs and lack of recognition of this vision in the regulatory system, Poplar Hill First Nation was required to work with a regulated power distributor to become grid connected. We must advance the vision of First Nation ownership, capacity building, and meaningful participation in all areas. Finally, I would like to acknowledge Poplar Hill Elders Emma and Albert Wassaykeesick for their guidance throughout the development of the transmission system. Emma was a valuable member of the Elder Advisory Committee, before her well-earned retirement.'
Margaret Kenequanash
CEO of Wataynikaneyap Power
'The partnership that we are celebrating today is part of the largest First Nations-led grid connection infrastructure project in Canada. Congratulations to Poplar Hill First Nation and Wataynikaneyap Power on this significant milestone. Today's celebration marks the end of the community's reliance on diesel-generated electricity, thanks to their efforts and leadership. This is an example of what's possible when all levels of government collaborate with First Nations partners, so more communities can benefit from the development opportunities that come from access to sustainable, reliable power.'
The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor
Quick facts
Poplar Hill First Nation is located about 570 km northwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The community is accessible only by air, or ice road during the winter.
Wataynikaneyap Power is majority owned (51%) by 24 First Nation communities, including the 16 communities being grid connected through the project, making it the largest Indigenous-owned and led infrastructure project in provincial history.
The Wataynikaneyap Power transmission system connects the Poplar Hill community distribution system to the Ontario grid through a total of 190 km of transmission line and four substations.
Poplar Hill First Nation was grid connected on December 17, 2024, making them the 13th community to be grid connected through the Wataynikaneyap Project.
With the completion of this project, 16 of the 25 First Nation diesel dependent communities in Ontario will be connected to the provincial power grid which is a reduction of 68 percent in the number of Ontario First Nation communities relying on diesel.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Prime Minister Carney announces Canada's G7 priorities ahead of the Leaders' Summit
OTTAWA, ON, June 7, 2025 /CNW/ - Fifty years ago, in the face of upheaval and geopolitical tensions, a small group of advanced economies formed what is now the G7 – a forum for co-operation, stability, and shared prosperity. In 2025, as global challenges intensify, the G7 must meet this moment with purpose and with force. Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced the priorities that will guide Canada's 2025 G7 Leaders' Summit, to be held in Kananaskis, Alberta, from June 15 to 17, 2025. Anchored in building stronger economies, Canada will seek agreements and co-ordinated action on three core missions: Protecting our communities and the world – strengthening peace and security, countering foreign interference and transnational crime, and improving joint responses to wildfires. Building energy security and accelerating the digital transition – fortifying critical mineral supply chains and using artificial intelligence and quantum to unleash economic growth. Securing the partnerships of the future – catalyzing enormous private investment to build stronger infrastructure, create higher-paying jobs, and open dynamic markets where businesses can compete and succeed. Other discussions will include a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and other areas of conflict around the world, and a forward-looking agenda that engages partners beyond the G7, recognizing that our long-term security and prosperity will depend on building coalitions with reliable partners and common values. Quote "Canada has what the world wants and the values to which others aspire. The G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis is a moment for Canada to work with reliable partners to meet challenges with unity, purpose, and force. Canada is ready to lead."— The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada Quick Facts This is the seventh time that Canada has held the Presidency of the G7. This year's Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, will take place on the traditional territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy Nations of the Kainai, Piikani, and Siksika, and the Stoney Nakoda Nations comprised of the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Goodstoney First Nations, and the Tsuut'ina First Nation. We also acknowledge the Otipemisiwak Métis People and Government who reside on this territory and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta. Associated Link Canada's 2025 G7 Presidency This document is also available at SOURCE Prime Minister's Office View original content: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
What are Whitehorse city council's priorities?
Whitehorse city council has unveiled their strategic priorities: the constellation of guiding stars that will inform the decisions coming out of city hall until 2028. On the list of strategic priorities is: 'supporting growth and sustainability,' 'investing in infrastructure,' 'good government,' 'service and organizational excellence,' 'quality of life, well-being, and connection,' and 'community safety and resilience.' 'Strategic priorities are particularly important because they provide clear direction from council to administration and serve as a guiding document for the city's work over the course of a council term,' said city manager Jeff O'Farrell in his presentation to council. The first priority, supporting growth and sustainability, is about balancing private, and public, and regulatory interests in what the future of Whitehorse looks like, O'Farrell said to councillors. Areas of focus under this priority include using land use planning to increase the variety of housing available in the community, advocating for growth with partners, supporting a thriving private sector and economic diversity in Whitehorse, and reducing the effects of city operations and resident activities on the environment and climate. The to-do list for this strategic priority include the Whistle Bend fire hall, updating the city's zoning bylaw , implementing the climate action plan , advocating for new land development, and developing a plan to assessing housing needs in the city. The priority to invest in infrastructure is focused on building 'safe, sustainable and efficient infrastructure' to service the city. It does focus on the maintenance and modernization of critical infrastructure in the city, to reduce future and ongoing costs. Most of the city's infrastructure has reached the end of its useful life, per the city's very own climate action plan . Mayor Kirk Cameron said infrastructure was one of his 'main rants' during the October 2024 municipal election campaign. He said it could cost the city over a billion dollars just to stay on top of infrastructure needs. With that in mind, another area of focus out of that strategic priority is financial planning, and developing funding strategies to support Whitehorse's infrastructure needs. Partnerships with other levels of government to help direct money to the areas of keenest need is also a component of this priority, as well as exploring 'efficiencies in infrastructure development with First Nations and Yukon governments.' Action items associated with this priority include strengthening emergency management infrastructure, improving the municipal water and wastewater system, advocating for sustainable federal funding, and the enhancing the city's trails. The strategic priority of good governance means being accountable to citizens and partners of the city, especially in light of fiscal responsibility, per the strategic priorities presentation. The areas of focus underlying this priority include better communication and improved transparency; strengthening relationships with First Nations, governments and 'community stakeholders' to stay on the same page; evaluating programs on a cost-benefit basis; having governance systems which reflect these very strategic priorities; and investigating potential streams of revenue to strengthen the city's financial sustainability. Mayor Kirk Cameron said there was more the city could do to build the relationship with Ta'an Kwäch'än and Kwanlin Dün. 'We are integrally connected to them through self-government,' said Cameron. 'This is really important stuff, so we have to get that relationship right.' The concrete outcomes associated with this priority include improving city council processes, public engagement, and assessing the transit cost recovery policy, which became a hot topic this year when transit fare was hiked. Efficiency, optimization, and innovation are the shiny promises in this priority. The end goal? Better service for Whitehorse. This means performance standards to 'enhance client-centred service delivery,' more training for city staff, more modern tech, making sure that the current tax and incentive grant policies fit with council's vision for the city. Permitting is also a point of focus in this policy, with a specific nod towards making housing more available. The action items associated with this priority include tackling the way building permits are delivered ( January , March and May all saw proposals aimed at tackling the issue after the backlog last summer ). Other items on the checklist include updating the business license bylaw, the municipal charges and community service grant policies, and the city's telecoms systems. The vision in this strategic priority is a Whitehorse with diverse transportation networks and a connected community with a sense of pride. In this picture painted by this priority, downtown is vibrant and vitalized, as is the waterfront of the Yukon River, a natural gathering place and an artery of active transport. Neighbourhoods throughout the city are walkable with commercial services like groceries and amenities within a 'reasonable proximity.' Public transit, active transportation networks and recreational amenities continue to grow alongside the city. All while this is happening, the natural environment is protected. The current city of Whitehorse is an 'ad hoc creature,' said Cameron, referring the city's recent history as a stopping point on the Klondike Gold Rush and the military construction of the Alaska Highway. 'We all own the downtown,' said Cameron. 'We got to talk to all of our citizenry about what makes the most sense to make the downtown the jewel of our city.' Some of the specifics in tow with this priority: the Whistle Bend Active transportation network , protecting McIntyre Creek Park/Chasàn Chùa, and planning for recreation facilities in town. This priority of community safety and resilience echoes the city's climate action plan in its attention to emergency preparedness, and also the downtown safety plan with its goal of crime reduction. This priority also has eyes on the issue of food security in the city by supporting 'community initiatives around increasing urban agriculture and reducing food waste.' Improving traffic flows in the city to create safer streets is also a focus under the umbrella of community safety and resilience. FireSmarting, a long-term fix for Robert Service Way and neighbourhood speed reduction are all action items associated with this priority. Coun. Jenny Hamilton, Eileen Melnychuk and Paolo Gallina asked the public for feedback on the strategic priorities. 'Call, email, come to council, and we want to hear what you have to say so that we can work towards making Whitehorse the best it can be,' Melnychuk said. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Saskatchewan lays charges in wildfires while 1,000 more flee in Manitoba
Prairie wildfires developed on two fronts Friday, as 1,000 more Manitoba residents were forced to flee their homes and Saskatchewan RCMP charged two people with starting blazes. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe told a news conference that one charge relates to starting a fire near La Ronge, which has forced 7,000 people from the area. 'The RCMP have informed us that they have now charged a couple of individuals,' Moe said. An 18-year-old woman from Montreal Lake Cree Nation and a 36-year-old man from Pelican Narrows each face one count of arson, said RCMP. It's alleged the woman set the fire in a rural area near La Ronge. The man is accused of setting fires in a ditch near the turnoff to Snowden, northeast of Prince Albert. As of Friday, Saskatchewan had 24 active wildfires and Moe said between 10,000 and 15,000 people are out of their communities. 'Many if not virtually all of the fires that we're dealing with in Saskatchewan, although not intentionally, are human caused. Some of those have been intentionally human caused,' Moe said. Saskatchewan and Manitoba are both under a state of emergency, which makes it easier for different levels of government to co-ordinate a response. Manitoba has also received help from the military to evacuate residents, mainly in remote First Nations. Moe has faced calls from the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and the Opposition NDP to follow suit. 'Every available resource in Canada must be utilized to combat these wildfires,' FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron wrote in a letter to Moe. 'We cannot afford to let critical assistance go unused.' The premier said while his Saskatchewan Party government is in daily contact with federal officials, provincial emergency crews have so far been able to get evacuees out. Moe said the Canadian Red Cross was also working to set up shelters for evacuees in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert. In Manitoba, the town of Snow Lake issued a mandatory evacuation order Friday due to a large wildfire threatening the area east of Flin Flon. 'You must leave because of the danger to your health and safety,' reads a notice on the town's Facebook page. That fire, which had grown to more than 3,000 square kilometres, has already forced out all 5,000 residents of the city of Flin Flon and about 1,000 more in surrounding homes and cottages. With Snow Lake evacuees added in, about 19,000 were out of their homes in Manitoba. About 27 fires were burning in the province, with eight classified as out of control. Earlier Friday, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said evacuees have found places to stay with friends or family, in hotels or in congregate shelters. Getting evacuees into private accommodations is tricky, he said, because many hotel rooms are being reserved for people with 'intense' medical issues. 'We just have to do a balancing act,' Kinew said. 'At this point, the big-picture challenge around rooms has largely been addressed. 'It's now just about the daily balancing act of triaging people coming in and people who are already in shelters and matching them up with rooms.' Shelters have been set up in Winnipeg, Thompson and Brandon. The City of Flin Flon said on social media that no structures have been lost in the community or across the boundary in nearby Creighton, Sask. 'Winds in the area are now blowing from the south, resulting in heavy smoke and fire moving towards the south side of Flin Flon,' it said. The city added that fire protection, including sprinklers, have been set up and firefighters are working to protect property. Provincial fire officials said evacuations have been completed at First Nations at Pukatawagan and Cross Lake. In northern Alberta, approximately 1,300 residents of the town of Swan Hills were allowed to return to their homes Thursday, about a week after fleeing from a wildfire. But about 340 kilometres west in the County of Grande Prairie, people in the Municipal District of Opportunity were ordered out. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025. — With files from Steve Lambert in Winnipeg Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
