Pikangikum and Lac des Mille Lacs First Nations join Wataynikaneyap Power

Pikangikum First Nation and Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation joined Wataynikaneyap, the First Nations-led power project on Thursday, bringing the number of First Nations communities who are equal owners in the project to 22.

• Remote communities a step closer to being linked to Ontario power grid
• Maxed out electricity supply fuels housing shortage in northern Ontario First Nation

"Relying on expensive, environmentally-unfriendly diesel fuel to provide power for basic needs like food, shelter and water, as well as limited generating capacity, has come at a hugepriceforourcommunities,"saidMargaretKenequanash, Chair ofWataynikaneyapPower.

Kenequanash called the project "transformational" and said that First Nations ownership will ensure responsible development across traditional homelands.

Many communities, including Pikangikum, currently live under electrical load restrictions, which means new homes cannot be connected to the grid, economic development is restricted, and communities often face rolling blackouts.

• Ontario First Nations plan power line to help remote communities get off diesel

"It is critically important for the community to be connected to the Ontario power grid as soon as is reasonably possible," said PikangikumFirst NationChief Dean Owen.

"Local social services will be able to function normally and support families in need. Real economic development will finally be possible, particularly in the resource development sector," Owen said. "The environmental contamination at the diesel generator plant will finally be cleaned up. Our clear vision is that Pikangikum will be a safer and healthier place."

Pending permitting, approvals and a cost sharing agreement between the federal and provincial government, construction on the power line is expected to begin in 2018.

• Wataynikaneyap First Nations-led power company moves ahead

A recent report from theOntario Power Authority saidgetting 21 First Nations off diesel generation and onto the provincial power grid will save a billion dollars over40 years.