Who We Are Timeline

October 2008: The original Central Corridor Energy Group was given the mandate to pursue the planning and development of an electrical transmission line, owned by the First Nations, to connect 10 communities to the provincial electricity grid. The original Central Corridor Energy Group included 13 First Nations: Bearskin Lake, Cat Lake, North Caribou Lake, Sachigo Lake, Kingfisher Lake, Wunnumin Lake, Wapekeka, Kasabonika Lake, Wawakapewin, Muskrat Dam, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Mishkeegogamang, and Saugeen. (Mishkeegogamang and Saugeen subsequently left the Group and re-joined the project later.)

February 2011: Expanded mandate to include the transmission line discussions south of Pickle Lake.

May 17, 2012: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Resolution to support and advocate to promote the Wataynikaneyap Power initiative.

December 2013: Ministry of Energy releases Ontario’s 2013 Long-Term Energy Plan, which included the following: “Connecting the remote communities is a priority for Ontario. Ontario will continue to work with the federal government to connect remote First Nation communities to the electricity grid or find alternatives where it is not economically feasible to do so. Success in connecting the remote communities will depend on contributions from all of the parties that benefit from the new transmission lines and other infrastructure, particularly the federal government, whose commitment and co-operation will be required to make this priority project a reality. The federal government, which is responsible for supporting First Nation community infrastructure, would also share in the savings, as the costs associated with using diesel fuel would be reduced. The federal government would receive additional benefits beyond the diesel related savings. Once the remote communities are connected, there would be a reduction in the environmental impact and environmental liabilities associated with diesel spills, lower greenhouse gas emissions, improved social and living conditions for remote community residents, and increased opportunities for economic development within First Nation communities.”

January 2015: Wataynikaneyap Power engaged PwC to do a further update to the Financial Feasibility Study reflecting:

• The addition of Sandy Lake First Nation to the Wataynikaneyap group and this financial feasibility analysis
• A new fuel price forecast provided by the IESO
• Revised growth capital costs and applicable federal subsidies provided by AANDC
• Updated capital costs and project schedule information, notably a revised in-service date of January 1, 2021
• Other updates such as updated cost of capital information from the Ontario Energy Board.

2015: In partnership, 20 First Nations (as 2472881 Ontario Limited) signed the Wataynikaneyap Shareholders Agreement with Fortis (WP) GP Inc. and RES. (RES’s interest in the project was acquired by Fortis Inc. in 2016.)

July 20, 2016: Wataynikaneyap Power chosen as the company to carry out the transmission line project. Project is designated by the Province as a “Priority Project.” The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, by Order in Council: Designated as priority transmission projects pursuant to section 96.1 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 the construction of an electricity transmission line originating at a point between Ignace and Dryden and terminating at Pickle Lake and the construction of electricity transmission lines extending north from Pickle Lake and Red Lake to connect 16 remote communities. Pursuant to section 28.6.1 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 directed the Ontario Energy Board to amend the electricity transmission license conditions of 2472883 Ontario Inc. on behalf of Wataynikaneyap Power LP to develop and seek approvals for the Line to Pickle Lake and the Remotes Connection Project.

December 8, 2016: Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Resolution to support Wataynikaneyap Power as the designated transmitter; direct the National Chief to write a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to identify the project as a federal priority; and call on Ontario and Canada to immediately develop a funding framework to resource the project.

March 22, 2018: Funding framework was announced.

January 2019: Expanded mandate to include Mishkeegogamang and Ojibway Nation of Saugeen as partners. 24 First Nations are now in partnership.

June 21, 2019: Environmental Assessment approvals received for Phase 1 of project.

2019: Environmental Assessment approvals received for Phase 2 of project.

October 11, 2019: Provincial Environmental Site Assessment approval received.

February 5, 2020: Construction begins on the project.

August 16, 2022:  Completion and energization of a 230 kV line, approximately 300 kilometres from Dinorwic to Pickle Lake, Ontario (Phase 1). The new 230 kV upgrade to Pickle Lake increases the load supply capabilities and provides operating flexibility to meet the needs of the remote communities that are energized in Phase 2 of the project.

November 8, 2022: Kingfisher Lake First Nation connected to the grid.

May 2023: 44 kV to 115 kV Conversion of Pikangikum line completed.

July 7, 2023: Bearskin Lake First Nation connected to the grid.

September 19, 2023: Kasabonika Lake First Nation connected to the grid.

November 2, 2023: Sachigo Lake First Nation connected to the grid.

December 14, 2023: Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) and Wapekeka First Nation connected to the grid.