In less than a week, the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) has once again signed a protocol agreement but this time with Hydro One.
The agreement is to ensure the SON has full and meaningful participation in the ongoing Environmental Assessment and regulatory process of the Hydro One, Bruce to Milton Transmission Reinforcement Project.
Hydro One’s plan is to build a new high voltage transmission line adjacent to the existing transmission corridor, from Bruce Power to a switching station in Milton.
Hydro One Vice President of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Peter Gregg says this agreement is one Hydro One wanted to form when the beginning stages of the project began.
Gregg says after many months of talking and meetings, the two sides were finally able to sign this important agreement and says this is not the end but the just the beginning of their relationship with the SON.
Gregg says Hydro One has taken the stand that this agreement is a necessary component of completion of this project as we have to respect the rights and land of the SON.
Chippewas of Nawash Chief Ralph Akiwenzie says this agreement is to make sure our rights are protected and the environment is still there when we get up in the morning.
The SON also signed an agreement last Friday with Bruce Power to participate in the Environmental Assessment and regulatory process of Bruce’s New Build Project.
Saugeen First Nation Chief Randall Kahgee says these agreements let people know the SON needs to be involved in these projects from the beginning to end.
Kahgee says we need to know if our rights and interests are going to be harmed with these projects and if there is a potential of harm can those be mitigated and if not what are the conversations from that point.
