Northern Power Initiative Expands

Five new First Nations communities have joined a major power initiative in northwestern Ontario.
Deer Lake, Keewaywin, McDowell Lake, North Spirit Lake and Poplar Hill became equal partners in the Wataynikaneyap power project on Wednesday.
Spokesperson Margaret Kenequanash says 18 First Nations communities and Goldcorp are now involved in the project.
The new transmission line will run north from Pickle Lake and will connect remote area communities currently running on diesel generators.
Kenequanash says they are now in the environmental assessment stage and the next step will be identifying corridor options.
She says the agreement in place will ensure everyone has a voice in the future of the project.
Kenequanash adds they are working closely with the Provincial Government and the Ontario Power Authority.
She says the collective effort will ensure that northern First Nations have clean, reliable power to allow for community and economic growth.