A group of northern First Nations has signed an agreement with the Province and BC Hydro for co-ownership of the proposed North Coast Transmission Line (NCTL).
The NCTL would see BC Hydro's electrical transmission from Prince George to Prince Rupert doubled in capacity.
Leaders from Lax Kw鈥檃laams, Metlakatla, Witset, Ts鈥檌l Kaz Koh, Wet鈥檚uwet鈥檈n First Nation, Nee Tahi Buhn Band, and Wet鈥檚uwet鈥檈n Hereditary Chiefs signed non-binding term sheets with the provincial government and BC Hydro on July 21 in a ceremony hosted on Squamish traditional territory. The event was facilitated by Squamish Nation Elders and featured youth witnesses from participating Nations.
The agreement outlines more than 150 pages of terms enabling the participating Nations to partner in building, owning, and benefiting from the NCTL. According to K鈥檜ul Power, the company formed by participating Nations to lead negotiations, the final project agreement could be worth over $1.4 billion in financial benefits to First Nations鈥攅xcluding an additional minimum of $450 million in construction opportunities earmarked for First Nations businesses.
鈥淭his is just the beginning,鈥� said Ts鈥檌l Kaz Koh Chief and K鈥檜ul Power Chair Wes Sam. 鈥淭here are many more projects to come. K鈥檜ul Power and the collaborating Nations are demonstrating what First Nations can achieve by working together.鈥�
Sam acknowledged the intensive effort that went into reaching this stage.
鈥淭he K鈥檜ul Power team, alongside [the Province] and BC Hydro, spent thousands of hours getting this deal to where it is 鈥� and there is a lot more work to do.鈥�
BC Energy and Climate Solutions Minister Adrian Dix called the agreement 鈥渁 foundation for how we will build the North Coast Transmission Line together,鈥� and praised the partners鈥� commitment to training and job opportunities for Nation members.
Lax Kw鈥檃laams Councillor Joey Wesley described the agreement as 鈥渁 major step forward for First Nations in building the new decarbonized Canadian economy.鈥�
Wet鈥檚uwet鈥檈n First Nation Chief Maureen Luggi said the project offers 鈥渁n historic opportunity鈥� to achieve economic reconciliation.
鈥淲e believe the Term Sheets as executed provide the sound basis for a fair development that will benefit the environment and all British Columbians,鈥� she said.
鈥淭his collaboration between First Nations on these term sheets was history in the making,鈥� added Nee Tahi Buhn Chief Marcella Morris. 鈥淭he execution on the term sheets sets a precedent for how business should be carried out in British Columbia.鈥�
Metlakatla Chief Robert Nelson agreed: 鈥淭his is a great demonstration of what we can achieve if we work together and we need to continue to do so.鈥�
BC Hydro President and CEO Chris O鈥橰iley said the project will support growing industrial demand while forging 鈥渁 new model of collaboration鈥攐ne that includes co-ownership.鈥�
Witset Elected Chief Elgin Cutler emphasized the significance of unity among Wet鈥檚uwet鈥檈n leadership.
鈥淭rue strength is reflected when the elected Chief and Council stand alongside our Hereditary Chiefs in unity and mutual respect,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his agreement builds on that unity and gives our people a real voice in action and in decision-making.鈥�
Construction on the North Coast Transmission Line is expected to begin in 2026. In the meantime, negotiations will continue toward final project agreements.
