Ontario declares Greenstone transmission line a priority project

Ontario has named the Greenstone transmission line a priority, which it says will displace diesel power, connect to the Ring of Fire region

Ministers and Indigenous chiefs met Wednesday to announce the next step Ontario’s government is taking to develop the Ring of Fire in northwestern Ontario.

“Ontario is giving the green light to not only build, but to accelerate the Greenstone transmission line, which will help displace diesel power,” Stephen Lecce, the Minister of Energy and Mines, said to start the news conference.

“And yes, it will connect us to the gateway to the Ring of Fire.”

The transmission line will be 320 km long and will reduce reliance on diesel fuel in many northern and Indigenous communities.

“The truth is, Ontario has what the world needs. We are an ethical, reliable, democratic partner,” Lecce said.

“(We have) the vision to build the roads and transmission lines to help us improve, not just the quality of life in the north, but also to help electrify the mines and help us support the next generation of responsible resource development.”

Hydro One will be responsible for the construction of the transmission line to meet the projected demand for electricity, which the province believes will increase by 81 per cent by 2050 in northern Ontario.

‘I get a little emotional’

Chief Paul Gladu from Bingwi Neyaashi Anishnaabek First Nation said it was a big day for the community.

“I grew up in the town, I get a little emotional when I talk about small towns that at one time were two of the largest gold mines in Ontario and to see where it is now, it’s very touching,” Gladu said.

“We will help grow this community, which has been in decline for many years.”

“In the north, the Greenstone transmission line will address something even more basic -- it will address resiliency and reliability, something these communities have not had in the past,” said Hydro One president and CEO David Lebeter.

Indigenous communities will also have 50 per cent joint ownership of the line under Hydro One’s First Nations Equity Partnership model.

“It delivers revenue, jobs for their companies and for their communities and frankly, demonstrates the power of partnership when we’re up against a common threat in the U.S.,” said Lecce.

The project will add 7,000 jobs and is set to be completed by 2032.

Lecce also said the project is designed for future expansion. It will be engineered to allow access to reliable power even further north in the future.