“This is the first time we can take part in a project of this size and importance. Developing this project will provide our community a sense of pride and self- esteem that we can leverage for other projects.”

- Bill Sainnawap, Big Trout Lake First Nation

“The Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project could save our community lots of money, which we can use for other purposes in our community.”

Jacob Strang, Chief, Poplar Hill First Nation

“The Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project provides a future for our community’s youth.”

Jacob Strang, Chief, Poplar Hill First Nation

“The Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project will unlock economic opportunities in our community and for other First Nations communities in Northern Ontario.”

Mitchell K. Diabo, Kasabonika Lake

“The new houses are sitting empty. They have constructed them and they are just sitting there because the electrical capacity is not there to hook them up.”

Simon Sakakeep, Kingfisher Lake First Nation

“As owners in the project, we want to ensure that our communities get maximum benefit from this very important infrastructure project."

Margaret Kenequanash, Wataynikaneyap Power

Latest Updates

Phase 2 Connecting 17 Remote First Nation Communities Final Environmental Study Report

July 5, 2019

Wataynikaneyap would like to thank those who participated in the environmental assessment process for Phase 2: Connecting 17 Remote First Nation Communities (the Project). Wataynikaneyap has now responded to comments received on their Final Environmental Study Report (ESR) for the Project.

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Draft Amendment to the Amended Final Environmental Assessment Report for the Phase 1 New Transmission Line to Pickle Lake Project

July 2, 2019

The Phase 1 Project is subject to an Individual environmental assessment (EA) under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act (EAA). On June 20, 2019, the Minister of the MECP, with the Lieutenant Governor in Council, approved the Project with conditions. Since the issuance of the Minister’s decision, Wataynikaneyap has identified Project design changes to optimize and improve design, thereby reducing the overall Project footprint, which has in most cases resulted in a decrease in potential adverse environmental effects. The key revisions to the Project design include:

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Environmental Assessment Notice of Approval for Project Phase 1 (Line to Pickle Lake)

June 21, 2019

Wataynikaneyap Power has received the Environmental Assessment Notice of Approval for Phase 1 of the Project from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. View a copy of the Notice of Approval (Environmental Assessment Reference Number 13025 and File Number 03-03-03).

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Our Story

An inspiring project to connect nations together and strengthen local economies.

See the impact this project will have on our communities. Watch this video to see the steps we are taking to make Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project a reality.

Pikangikum Funding

Federal Government announces funding to connect Pikangikum First Nation to Ontario’s Power Grid.

“This is the best news I’ve heard in a long time - the community really needs this” says Chief Dean Owen,

Pikangikum and Wataynikaneyap Project

This is what the future holds.

It’s a first step, but an important step. In August, 2017, the Government of Canada announced a commitment of up to $60 million to build the Pikangikum Distribution Line Project. The plan is to connect Pikangikum First Nation to the power grid before the end of November 2018. Recently, 24 members of the community took part in a skills training program. These will be the first local hires when work begins to extend the grid to Pikangikum.

The project signals the beginning of connecting remote First Nations communities to the power grid. Pikangikum First Nation joined the Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project in 2016. And as Dean Owen, Pikangikum’s Chief says, “within our area here there are 21 other communities that are anxiously waiting to have the same opportunity we are having right now…that’s my hope, to see these other communities shut dirty diesel down and quite polluting our lands.”

Pikangikum Power Line

On December 20 2018, Pikangikum for the first time in its history will be connected to the provincial power grid.

For decades, this community has survived and relied on diesel generators to power their home, their school, their airport until now.

Our Communities

Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project is bringing grid connection to 17 remote communities. This has numerous benefits to all 24 partner communities leading this project, in partnership with Fortis Inc. Visit your Community Liaison worker to learn how this project will benefit your community