The City of Timmins is formally supporting the joint bid between a council of five First Nations and Hydro One, for the provincial government to approve them building a new electrical transmission line between Wawa and Timmins.
Wabun Tribal Council executive director Jason Batise says the line is important to industrial growth in the Northeast, and critical mineral strategies are in play, as we move from fossil fuels to electrical energy.
“Canada Nickel in our region are going to be a big consumer of power, especially if they have a processing facility,” Batise states. “All of those things I think come into play when we’re talking about increasing the capacity of our electrical needs.”
Jason Batise says the City Council endorsement is important for the application because Hydro One is already a hub in the northeast.
“And the folks that work and live in Timmins at that particular location have a sustainable job into the future. It’s a generational project and who’s going to maintain it? Well, we think Hydro One is the right choice to do that.”
Pending approval, Batise predicts construction on the line to begin in 2028, going into service two or three years later.
WABUN TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBERS
Mattagami First Nation
Flying Post First Nation
Chapleau Ojibwe First Nation
Brunswick House First Nation
Matachewan First Nation
