The people of the Black Lake First Nation have spoken — and they want to proceed with a mayor hydro project.
Members of the band voted 63% in favour of the Tazi Twe Hydroelectric Project in a referendum held Wednesday.
Forty-four per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot.
Black Lake Chief Rick Robillard is delighted with the outcome of Wednesday’s vote.
“Today is a great day for the people of the Black Lake First Nation,” he says. “Today, we heard from our community members and I’m pleased to say that this project will move forward to the next steps. Many people have been working towards this day for many years, and I’m happy to hear that our community is in support of the Black Lake First Nation becoming proud owners in a profitable, long-term business. I would like to recognize and thank everyone who came out to vote, as well as all the prior Chiefs and Councillors who served the community of Black Lake and brought this project to where it is today.”
The project, which still has to receive cabinet approval and clear other regulatory hurdles, is expected to be built and ready to produce electricity by 2020.
Construction could begin as early as next year.
The project involves the diversion of water along the Fond du Lac River.
It will become the first hydro project in Saskatchewan to be situated entirely on reserve land.
Under an agreement with SaskPower, the community of Black Lake is slated to receive over $1 billion in benefits over the 90-year life of the project.