HIAWATHA, ON, April 03, 2018 – Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Minister Responsible for Small Business was joined by Lou Rinaldi, MPP for Northumberland – Quinte West, and Chief Laurie Carr of the Hiawatha First Nation to announce 11 projects selected to receive funding to expand access to natural gas and build the supporting natural gas infrastructure that will dramatically increase connections.
This includes moving forward on constructing a gas distribution pipeline to connect homes and business in the Hiawatha first Nation and areas of the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan. Natural gas service will help attract new industry, make commercial transportation and agriculture more affordable, provide a cleaner source of energy, reduce costs and support greater consumer choice.
Chief Carr noted during the announcement that “we are very pleased to see this infrastructure initiative come to realization. First and foremost, this will provide more affordable and reliable energy to our citizens, who currently have less affordable heating options available to them.”
Hiawatha First Nation is a progressive and growing community exploring many new developments, partnerships and opportunities particularly in the area of economic development and building sustainability. The expansion of natural gas will benefit these initiatives greatly. The community operates a number of facilities and businesses and having reliable, affordable fuel will be beneficial to these operations.
Chief Carr thanked everyone for their help and support over the years in bringing this important resource to the community. She noted that there is still lots of work to do, including consultations with our Citizens as well as setting up formal, meaningful Consultation and Accomodation discussions with Enbridge.
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