November 2, 2023 – Hydro One has achieved Gold-level certification for Progressive Aboriginal Relations from the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) for its commitment “to building lasting, strong and mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous communities”.

“I admire the dedication of Hydro One to further economic growth and opportunities for Indigenous business,” said Tabatha Bull, president & CEO, CCAB. “We have awarded Gold status to fewer than 25 companies in Canada and, with a Gold status achievement, companies like Hydro One are role models for their approach in Indigenous relations.”

In related news, Hydro One’s transmission licence is being amended so that it can get to work on developing and constructing three new priority transmission lines in northeast and eastern Ontario to meet growing electricity demand. The company has been collaborating with First Nations on early planning; together, they will advance the development and construction phases of the projects.

Three priority projects, listed below, aim to support capacity constraints and growing electricity demands in sectors including transportation, mining, steel, and manufacturing:

The Mississagi to Third Line: approx. 75-km, 230-kV transmission line between Mississagi Transformer Station (west of Sudbury) and Third Line Transformer Station (Sault Ste. Marie).

The Hanmer to Mississagi Line: approx. 205-km, 500-kV transmission line between Hanmer Transformer Station (Greater Sudbury) and Mississagi Transformer Station (west of Sudbury).

The Greater Toronto Area East Line: approx. 50-km, 230-kV transmission line between either Cherrywood Transformer Station (Pickering) or Clarington Transformer Station (Oshawa) and Dobbin Transformer Station (Peterborough).

“We are elated that our Sister Nations along the North Shore have worked diligently in concert with us and Hydro One to bring these two transmission lines to fruition,” said Gimaa Craig Nootchtai, Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. “We remain committed to our partnership with Hydro One, and we thank them for the future benefits this project will bring to all our communities.”

First Nations have the opportunity to invest in a 50% equity stake in the transmission line component of the projects once complete through Hydro One’s Equity Partnership model.

“The equity partnership with Hydro One allows us to meet the growing electricity demands throughout our territories. We are encouraged to see the project advancing as quickly as it is, and look forward to promoting future jobs for our people in this sector,” said Chief Mark McCoy, Batchewana First Nation.