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香蕉视频直播檃laams, Metlakatla, Witset, Ts香蕉视频直播檌l Kaz Koh, Wet香蕉视频直播檚uwet香蕉视频直播檈n First Nation, Nee Tahi Buhn Band, and Wet香蕉视频直播檚uwet香蕉视频直播檈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香蕉视频直播檜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香蕉视频直播攅xcluding an additional minimum of $450 million in construction opportunities earmarked for First Nations businesses.
香蕉视频直播淭his is just the beginning,香蕉视频直播� said Ts香蕉视频直播檌l Kaz Koh Chief and K香蕉视频直播檜ul Power Chair Wes Sam. 香蕉视频直播淭here are many more projects to come. K香蕉视频直播檜ul Power and the collaborating Nations are demonstrating what First Nations can achieve by working together.香蕉视频直播�
Sam acknowledged the intensive effort that went into reaching this stage.
香蕉视频直播淭he K香蕉视频直播檜ul Power team, alongside [the Province] and BC Hydro, spent thousands of hours getting this deal to where it is 香蕉视频直播� and there is a lot more work to do.香蕉视频直播�
BC Energy and Climate Solutions Minister Adrian Dix called the agreement 香蕉视频直播渁 foundation for how we will build the North Coast Transmission Line together,香蕉视频直播� and praised the partners香蕉视频直播� commitment to training and job opportunities for Nation members.
Lax Kw香蕉视频直播檃laams Councillor Joey Wesley described the agreement as 香蕉视频直播渁 major step forward for First Nations in building the new decarbonized Canadian economy.香蕉视频直播�
Wet香蕉视频直播檚uwet香蕉视频直播檈n First Nation Chief Maureen Luggi said the project offers 香蕉视频直播渁n historic opportunity香蕉视频直播� to achieve economic reconciliation.
香蕉视频直播淲e believe the Term Sheets as executed provide the sound basis for a fair development that will benefit the environment and all British Columbians,香蕉视频直播� she said.
香蕉视频直播淭his collaboration between First Nations on these term sheets was history in the making,香蕉视频直播� added Nee Tahi Buhn Chief Marcella Morris. 香蕉视频直播淭he execution on the term sheets sets a precedent for how business should be carried out in British Columbia.香蕉视频直播�
Metlakatla Chief Robert Nelson agreed: 香蕉视频直播淭his is a great demonstration of what we can achieve if we work together and we need to continue to do so.香蕉视频直播�
BC Hydro President and CEO Chris O香蕉视频直播橰iley said the project will support growing industrial demand while forging 香蕉视频直播渁 new model of collaboration香蕉视频直播攐ne that includes co-ownership.香蕉视频直播�
Witset Elected Chief Elgin Cutler emphasized the significance of unity among Wet香蕉视频直播檚uwet香蕉视频直播檈n leadership.
香蕉视频直播淭rue strength is reflected when the elected Chief and Council stand alongside our Hereditary Chiefs in unity and mutual respect,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淭his agreement builds on that unity and gives our people a real voice in action and in decision-making.香蕉视频直播�
Construction on the North Coast Transmission Line is expected to begin in 2026. In the meantime, negotiations will continue toward final project agreements.
