Hydro-Québec and the Mohawks of Kahnawà:ke have signed an historic, 40-year co-ownership agreement for a new transmission line to export electricity from Montreal’s South Shore to New York City.
The C$1.13-billion, 1,250-megawatt line is expected to go into operation in 2026, with a portion running over unceded Kanien’kehá:ka land.
“The deal gives Kahnawà:ke a 10% stake in the 58-kilometre portion of the line that runs through Quebec, which has an estimated value of $345 million,” CBC reports. “Kahnawà:ke can also purchase up to 49%—an option its council will evaluate in the coming months.”
“We know that our history with hydro wasn’t always a rosy one, and nevertheless we were able to overcome some of that history and find a way forward,” said Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer, Ohén:ton Í:iente ne Ratitsénhaienhs (Grand Chief) of the Kanien’kehá:ka community south of Montreal. “When Hydro-Québec had informed us that they were going to put out a bid to transmit the 1,250 megawatts of electricity to New York, we jumped on the opportunity to say we want to be partners.”
Sky-Deer credited her predecessor, Joseph Tokwiroh Norton, for opening negotiations with the provincial utility. Norton, who served as grand chief for nearly 30 years, died in August, 2020 at age 70.
Hydro-Québec said this was the first time it had ever formed a partnership with a third party, or with an Indigenous community.
“This is a new way of working with Indigenous communities across Quebec to build a sustainable future,” said President and CEO Michael Sabia. “It’s based on economic reconciliation.”
