Environmental Considerations
Environmental stewardship, monitoring and ceremony across the North Shore Link and Northeast Power Line projects.
Environmental Stewardship
WOCC's First Nations Environmental Committee supports environmental stewardship and archaeological monitoring throughout the projects. The Committee includes representatives from each of the eight participating First Nations and meets biweekly with WOCC and Hydro One.
The Committee is engaged throughout the work, reviewing project updates, providing guidance to WOCC and Hydro One, and communicating concerns raised by participating First Nations. It also contributes to field-monitoring activities and regularly reviews and provides input on assessment reports.
Environmental Monitoring Program
WOCC, in partnership with participating First Nations and Hydro One, has advanced planning for Indigenous-led environmental oversight during the construction of the North Shore Link and Northeast Power Line projects through an Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP).
The EMP is intended to ensure meaningful First Nation participation in environmental protection, cultural stewardship, and compliance monitoring throughout construction activities.
EMP objectives
Ensure real-time First Nation oversight of construction activities
Protect environmental, cultural, and archaeological values
Support compliance with regulatory and project-specific requirements
Build long-term environmental monitoring capacity within participating First Nations
Strengthen coordination between WOCC, Hydro One, and the engineering, procurement and construction contractors
Key timelines
-
Fall 2026
First Nation Monitor Recruitment
In progress -
Fall 2026
First Nation Monitor Training
In progress -
December 2026
Northeast Power Line construction start, EMP start
Upcoming -
April 2027
North Shore Link construction start, EMP start
Forward-looking -
2027 to 2030
Northeast Power Line and North Shore Link construction period requiring the EMP
Forward-looking
Community Open Houses
Throughout the projects, Hydro One, in collaboration with WOCC, has hosted Community Open Houses to share information and receive direct feedback from community members.
Community members have provided valuable feedback on environmental considerations, cultural protection and ways to maximize local employment opportunities. The sessions have also shared information about the projects' economic impacts, career opportunities and contracting opportunities for First Nation businesses.
Hydro One has provided updates on the Class Environmental Assessment for the North Shore Link and the Environmental Report for the Northeast Power Line, including relevant requirements of the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
Communities engaged
10
Engagement rounds
5
A record of our past Community Open Houses by date and location
Download as PDF| Community | Environmental ConsiderationsRound 1 | Environmental ConsiderationsRound 2 | Environmental ConsiderationsRound 3 | Early Contractor InvolvementRound 1 | Early Contractor InvolvementRound 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wahnapitae | No session held | February 27, 2025No session held | October 8, 2025No session held | June 9, 2025No session held | October 8, 2025No session held |
| Atikameksheng | No session held | May 15, 2025No session held | October 9, 2025No session held | July 14, 2025No session held | October 9, 2025No session held |
| Whitefish River | November 28, 2024No session held | February 26, 2025No session held | October 7, 2025No session held | May 6, 2025No session held | October 7, 2025No session held |
| Sagamok | No session held | March 19, 2025No session held | September 29, 2025No session held | May 13, 2025No session held | September 29, 2025No session held |
| Mississauga | November 4, 2024No session held | March 20, 2025No session held | November 27, 2025No session held | June 17, 2025No session held | November 27, 2025No session held |
| Serpent River | No session held | March 18, 2025No session held | September 22, 2025No session held | June 26, 2025No session held | September 22, 2025No session held |
| Thessalon | No session held | March 17, 2025No session held | September 18, 2025No session held | June 21, 2025No session held | September 18, 2025No session held |
| Rankin | No session held | March 6, 2025No session held | September 17, 2025No session held | August 11 & 12, 2025No session held | September 17, 2025No session held |
| Goulais Bay | No session held | March 3, 2025No session held | September 16, 2025No session held | No session held | September 16, 2025No session held |
| Obadjiwan | No session held | March 27, 2025No session held | September 15, 2025No session held | No session held | September 15, 2025No session held |
We encourage you to subscribe to our bulletin to remain up to date on upcoming Community Open Houses. We look forward to engaging with you.
Importance of Ceremony
Ceremony continues to play an essential role throughout the projects, including at important milestones, during fieldwork and through key seasonal transitions.
Below is a record of ceremonies held to date, along with upcoming ceremonies.
Mississauga First Nation
Water Ceremony
2024
Whitefish River First Nation
Water Ceremony
October 2024
Board of Directors
Sweetgrass Ceremony
November 2024
Wahnapitae First Nation
Pipe Ceremony
February 2025
Waasmoowin, Mond Lake
Pipe Ceremony
November 2025
Board of Directors
Pipe Ceremony
February 2026
Mississauga First Nation
Water and Tree Ceremony
May 2026
Mississauga First Nation
Water Ceremony
September 2026