A group of northern First Nations has signed an agreement with the Province and BC Hydro for co-ownership of the proposed North Coast Transmission Line (NCTL).
The NCTL would see BC Hydro's electrical transmission from Prince George to Prince Rupert doubled in capacity.
Leaders from Lax Kw乌鸦传媒檃laams, Metlakatla, Witset, Ts乌鸦传媒檌l Kaz Koh, Wet乌鸦传媒檚uwet乌鸦传媒檈n First Nation, Nee Tahi Buhn Band, and Wet乌鸦传媒檚uwet乌鸦传媒檈n Hereditary Chiefs signed non-binding term sheets with the provincial government and BC Hydro on July 21 in a ceremony hosted on Squamish traditional territory. The event was facilitated by Squamish Nation Elders and featured youth witnesses from participating Nations.
The agreement outlines more than 150 pages of terms enabling the participating Nations to partner in building, owning, and benefiting from the NCTL. According to K乌鸦传媒檜ul Power, the company formed by participating Nations to lead negotiations, the final project agreement could be worth over $1.4 billion in financial benefits to First Nations乌鸦传媒攅xcluding an additional minimum of $450 million in construction opportunities earmarked for First Nations businesses.
乌鸦传媒淭his is just the beginning,乌鸦传媒� said Ts乌鸦传媒檌l Kaz Koh Chief and K乌鸦传媒檜ul Power Chair Wes Sam. 乌鸦传媒淭here are many more projects to come. K乌鸦传媒檜ul Power and the collaborating Nations are demonstrating what First Nations can achieve by working together.乌鸦传媒�
Sam acknowledged the intensive effort that went into reaching this stage.
乌鸦传媒淭he K乌鸦传媒檜ul Power team, alongside [the Province] and BC Hydro, spent thousands of hours getting this deal to where it is 乌鸦传媒� and there is a lot more work to do.乌鸦传媒�
BC Energy and Climate Solutions Minister Adrian Dix called the agreement 乌鸦传媒渁 foundation for how we will build the North Coast Transmission Line together,乌鸦传媒� and praised the partners乌鸦传媒� commitment to training and job opportunities for Nation members.
Lax Kw乌鸦传媒檃laams Councillor Joey Wesley described the agreement as 乌鸦传媒渁 major step forward for First Nations in building the new decarbonized Canadian economy.乌鸦传媒�
Wet乌鸦传媒檚uwet乌鸦传媒檈n First Nation Chief Maureen Luggi said the project offers 乌鸦传媒渁n historic opportunity乌鸦传媒� to achieve economic reconciliation.
乌鸦传媒淲e believe the Term Sheets as executed provide the sound basis for a fair development that will benefit the environment and all British Columbians,乌鸦传媒� she said.
乌鸦传媒淭his collaboration between First Nations on these term sheets was history in the making,乌鸦传媒� added Nee Tahi Buhn Chief Marcella Morris. 乌鸦传媒淭he execution on the term sheets sets a precedent for how business should be carried out in British Columbia.乌鸦传媒�
Metlakatla Chief Robert Nelson agreed: 乌鸦传媒淭his is a great demonstration of what we can achieve if we work together and we need to continue to do so.乌鸦传媒�
BC Hydro President and CEO Chris O乌鸦传媒橰iley said the project will support growing industrial demand while forging 乌鸦传媒渁 new model of collaboration乌鸦传媒攐ne that includes co-ownership.乌鸦传媒�
Witset Elected Chief Elgin Cutler emphasized the significance of unity among Wet乌鸦传媒檚uwet乌鸦传媒檈n leadership.
乌鸦传媒淭rue strength is reflected when the elected Chief and Council stand alongside our Hereditary Chiefs in unity and mutual respect,乌鸦传媒� he said. 乌鸦传媒淭his agreement builds on that unity and gives our people a real voice in action and in decision-making.乌鸦传媒�
Construction on the North Coast Transmission Line is expected to begin in 2026. In the meantime, negotiations will continue toward final project agreements.
