Natural gas on Jocko Point set to flow to Nipissing First Nation

Union Gas Manager of Construction and Growth Glen Huard; Nipissing First Nation Chief Scott McLeod; Aecon General Manager of Union Gas Work Randy Villeneuve announce  The Natural Gas Project to benefit 250 homes across Nipissing First Nation on May 30.

By Kelly Anne Smith

JOCKO POINT—A ground-breaking ceremony to offer natural gas to homeowners, cottagers and entrepreneurs took place May 30 at the Jocko Point Community Centre.

Nipissing First Nation Chief Scott McLeod announced The Natural Gas Project with 250 homes across Nipissing First Nation to benefit. Previously, energy options were hydro, propane, oil and wood.

The construction work began in Jocko Point and will continue east to Meadowside, Beaucage, Nova Beaucage/Yellek and Art’s Lane.

Union Gas Manager of Construction and Growth Glen Huard and Aecon General Manager of Union Gas Work Randy Villeneuve held golden shovels with the Chief to represent the project set to bring natural gas to NFN members and others on Jocko Point.

In his address to those gathered at the momentous event, Chief McLeod praised the past Chief and Council for initiating talks.

“For many years the gas line has run through our community but never serviced us,” expressed Chief McLeod. “It is good to share the opportunity to offer an alternative energy that is cheaper, cleaner and more efficient.”

Chief McLeod confirmed the pilot project of providing natural gas to the community of Duchesnay in 2015 proved very successful with over 90% of homeowners connecting to Union Gas.

“Far too often, community members don’t have any options but to pay higher energy rates, especially hydro and propane,” stated Chief McLeod. “This investment partnership with [Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada] and the gas company will reduce those costs for band members. There are quite a number of lessees that are benefiting from it too. ”

Lee Walker, a member of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan, was eager to shake the hand of Nipissing First Nation Chief Scott McLeod afterwards. She had talked to several residents about getting hooked up to natural gas.

“We are all pretty excited about it,” noted Walker. “It has been a long time coming, but it is certainly worth the wait.”

Walker and her husband Ken are homeowners on Jocko Point who lease land from Nipissing First Nation. Ken said they were stuck with expensive propane to heat their home.

“We’ve been here about nine years so it’s going to be good,” added Ken Walker. “We are going to save about half the costs.”

The project is also expected to bring economic growth with employment for members and businesses being subcontracted.

Randy Villeneuve of Aecon ensured that the company will safely install quality pipeline through the community. He also promised that they will clean up the mess and “you won`t know we were here.”

Construction started on May 23. The completion date is set for sometime in August.

Talks took 10 years to iron out the details with the team of Nipissing First Nation Chief, Council, and staff and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, Union Gas and Aecon. NFN Chief McLeod said that Thomas Lambert, the Economic Development Manager was key to getting the project rolling.

Lambert called the collaboration exciting. “This is a big project for Nipissing First Nation members and non-members that reside within the land.”

Not all members will be hooked up to the Union Gas pipeline. In Garden Village it will be taken through the main part of the community but as soon as the pipeline gets down about a half a kilometre past the church, it hits rock. The Chief says it is too expensive at this time to blast through.

“It would quadruple the cost,” noted Chief McLeod. “It’s not that it won’t ever be done. We are looking to the future to get water and sewer there done at the same time.”

In the press release, Nipissing First Nation communications officer Gen Couchie wrote that NFN’s mission is to protect inherent rights and empower the membership, “to improve well-being and quality of life, and to be socially and economically independent, culturally strong and self-governing.”