Toronto: Minawshyn Development Corporation (MDC) and Enterprise Canada Inc. announced March 2 having entered into Memorandums of Understanding to support a range of new investments and development projects. The MOU with Ontario Power Generation, EPCOR, and PCL Construction sets out high level plans to collaborate on and develop community-based infrastructure projects with the Matawa First Nations member communities within the region located about 450 kilometres north of Thunder Bay in northern Ontario.
“Government is slow to change its processes of funding for some of our basic needs and our communities do not have any more time to wait,” said Chief Judy Desmoulin, Long Lake #58 First Nation. “The MOUs bring new hope and will be the faster vehicle to bring us healing and wellness through things like infrastructure development – housing, culture and language centres, improvement to schools, play equipment and recreational facilities for our children and youth.”
“I think looking at the regional side, we need to work together and identify regional priorities and how they can benefit our First Nation communities, “ added Chief Cornelius Wabasse, Webequie First Nation. “Each First Nation has their own autonomy and will benefit from our communities working together as a whole. There is a lot of work to do and the Matawa member First Nations communities will formulate the structures and distributions ourselves.” At the time of writing, the community had not yet outlined any specific plans.
“We’re excited to be working with Matawa First Nations on developing community-based projects that benefit and explore economic development in their region,” said Heather Ferguson, OPG’s Senior Vice-President of Corporate Affairs. “This is a critical step towards forging a path forward in this remote region and ensuring that these communities benefit from innovative, energy-based solutions.”