Tahltan Approve Northwest Transmission Line

By 250 News

Dease Lake, BC,  - Members of the Tahltan Nation have voted 82 percent in favour of the Northwest Transmission Line agreements the Nation reached with BC Hydro and the BC Government.

More than 1,700 Tahltans registered to vote and more than 770 of eligible voters of Tahltan ancestry 18 years of age and older turned out to vote, achieving a 45 percent participation rate.

"This is an exciting and pivotal time for our Nation. We are pleased the majority of Tahltans support the agreements our leadership team worked hard to achieve in the best interests of our people and our Nation," says Annita McPhee Tribal Chair of the Tahltan Central Council. "This historical decision has come after months of substantial outreach with Tahltan members across the province, in Whitehorse and Alberta, and the agreements we reached reflect the input they provided."

In response to member feedback, the Tahltan leadership worked to ensure the Tahltan Nation benefits economically and financially, receives meaningful benefits from the NTL and associated developments, impacts are managed and minimized during and after construction, and the Tahltan are in partnership with the Province to shape the future of the Tahltan territory and community.

The Impacts Benefits Agreement with BC Hydro addresses the direct impacts from construction of the approximately 70 kilometres of transmission line within Tahltan territory, as well as provides benefits to the Tahltan in the form of cash and direct training, employment and sub-contracting opportunities. The Tahltan Central Council expects the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation, the Nation's business arm, and other Tahltan businesses will be directly involved in transmission line construction.

Rick McLean, chief of the Tahltan Band Council is also optimistic about the opportunities for the future for the Tahltan Nation. "I am confident the Tahltan leadership negotiated agreements for our Nation that reflect our members' input, and that provide a gateway to a future that enables our Nation and people to prosper, while also protecting our culture and way of life."

Marie Quock, chief of the Iskut Band Council agrees. "These agreements will ensure Tahltans participate in the decisions on our territory and manage development that respects our values. This vote says our people are willing to participate in this process, to ensure we benefit for current and future generations."

The 287-kilovolt (kV), 344 km line will connect BC Hydro's Skeena Substation near Terrace with a new substation to be built near Bob Quinn Lake, passing through the territory of other First Nations as well.

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