SIX NATIONS — Work is still stalled at the completion of the Niagara Reinforcement Project. Men approached workers on site late last week to halt completion of the Hydro line connection — saying members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs (HCCC) wanted a $250,000 engagement agreement with Hydro One in order to proceed. If not, officials told TRT they were threatened with “men from all the territories” to come and shut down the project entirely.
Officials told TRT the halt was led by HDI’s lawyer Aaron Detlor, along with HCCC Chief Allan McNaughton and HDI’s Financial Corporations Director Colin Martin along with a collective of supporters who instructed workers to stop completion of the line at the demand of the HCCC.
Tabitha Curley, Communications Director for the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation said every day that the work is halted is costing money.
Curley said workers are not earning wages while work is halted. Which at press time the shutdown was still in effect. Curley said the NRP is not owned by Hydro One but is currently in the hands of the SNGRDC until the line is completed.
Curley told Six Nations Elected Council last week the shutdown was prolonging the time it would take to complete the line and costing the people of the community $50,000 a day.
Hydro One confirmed Tuesday the work at the site continues to be halted. In a statement to the TRT, Hydro One said they are “committed to continued dialogue with the community on the Niagara Reinforcement Project, which includes the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council (HCCC). We remain committed to completing the transmission line in a way that is respectful of local issues.”
Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC) led community consultation for this project. Consultation took place over the course of 10-weeks of from October-December 2017.
Curley said during that period invitations were sent to the HCCC on three occasions to invite them to negotiate on terms for the project and to offer feedback. According to her, they recieved no response in return.
TRT requested an interview with someone from HDI or HCCC for comment and to give feedback or update the community. No response was given by press time. Updates will be posted to our website.
