First Nations Expand Ownership in Ontario's East-West Tie Transmission Line

📅 5 days ago

Bamkushwada LP has increased its stake in the East-West Tie Transmission Line to 20% with support from the Ontario government, reflecting a significant advancement in Indigenous participation in infrastructure.

THUNDER BAY, ONT. — The Government of Ontario has announced a notable increase in First Nations ownership of the East-West Tie (EWT) Transmission Line. Bamkushwada LP (BLP), which represents six First Nations located along the shores of Gichigami (Lake Superior), has elevated its equity stake in the transmission line from 3.5 percent to 20 percent. This increase has been facilitated by a provincial guarantee, as stated in a recent release. The Ontario government, through the Indigenous Opportunities Financing Program (IOFP), is providing a guarantee of up to $75 million to support the expanded ownership stake, which is backed by a loan from Canada Life.
The East-West Tie Transmission Line, measuring 450 kilometers and operating at 230 kilovolts, became operational in March 2022. It serves to connect the community of Wawa with Shuniah, a municipality near Thunder Bay. The IOFP, administered by the Building Ontario Fund, aims to promote economic reconciliation and prosperity by enabling Indigenous partners to financially participate in infrastructure projects across Ontario.
Chief Duncan Michano, who is the chief of the Biigtigong Nishnaabeg First Nation and president of BLP, expressed his support for the increase in ownership, stating, "Increasing the six First Nations’ ownership in this project is long overdue. However, it is a powerful example of what we can achieve by working together within our traditional territories." He emphasized that with the backing of the IOFP and the Building Ontario Fund, First Nations are not merely participants in infrastructure development but are also taking on leadership roles in building a reliable and sustainable energy system that meets Ontario’s increasing energy demands.
The remaining 80 percent of the East-West Tie Transmission Line is jointly owned by an affiliate of NextEra Energy Transmission and Hydro One, with each holding a 40 percent share. Notably, the construction of the line was supported by an Indigenous workforce that comprised 60 percent of the labor. This initiative also provided training opportunities for more than 200 Indigenous workers, further contributing to capacity building within these communities.

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