We should know by the end of the day whether a major water diversion project will proceed on the Black Lake First Nation.
The Tazi Twe Hydroelectric Project is being put to a community vote today. A simple majority is all that’s needed for the project to go through.
If approved, it will become the first hydro project in the province to be situated entirely on reserve land. The band and SaskPower will be joint owners — with the band scheduled to receive well over $1 billion in financial benefits over the 90-year life of the project.
Band chief Rick Robillard says it’s difficult to imagine a better opportunity coming the band’s way.
“Our mandate was to push this economic development dream further,” he says. “And now that we’re here today, we hope that the people of the Black Lake First Nation will make an informed decision whether to approve this project or we don’t. But if this project doesn’t proceed, then when do we see another project like this?”
SaskPower will still need to get cabinet approval even if Black Lake band members vote in favour of proceeding.
Construction could begin as early as next year and the plant could start producing electricity by 2020.
For more information on how to vote, check out the project’s Facebook page here.