Question Period Note: Nibinamik First Nation – Diesel Generator Failures

• We are actively working with Nibinamik First Nation to address concerns related to the community’s generator and to ensure necessary resources are in place to combat and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

• In 2019-2020, ISC funded the First Nation $900,000 to purchase two new diesel generators. These were delivered to the community this past winter via the ice road.

• Indigenous Services Canada regional officials are in touch with the Nibinamik First Nation and are working to support the return of consistent power to the community.

Background

On May 13, 2020, Nibinamik First Nation declared a state of emergency due to intermittent failures of its diesel power generators.

Since 2016, the Department has invested over $3.442 million to repair, upgrade, and support the operations and maintenance of the community’s Diesel Generating Station. A new switchgear control system at the Diesel Generating Station was purchased, installed and commissioned in August 2018 to allow for increased generating capacity, improved operations, and decreased diesel fuel costs.

In 2019-2020, Nibinamik was approved for $900,000 to purchase two new diesel generators including a 725 kilowatt (kw) and 545 kw unit. Both units were delivered to the remote First Nation over the 2019-2020 winter road. The detailed design for the generator installations was also funded under this project.

On May 6, 2020, BJ Tworzyanski (the engineering design consultant) issued the 90% draft design drawings for review and comment by the Project Team.

On May 14, 2020, BJ Tworzyanski (the design consultant) issued a construction cost estimate for the future installation of the two delivered generators [redacted].

On May 14, 2020, at approximately 5 pm, Nibinamik First Nation issued a declaration of emergency, dated May 13, 2020, for the community, related to COVID-19 and community power issues in the diesel generating station (DGS).

Matawa First Nation Management submitted a draft Minor Capital Application (MCA) funding submission on the morning of May 15, 2020, to ISC Ontario Region with a request for $1.47 million to install the (2) diesel generators. The First Nation hopes to have both new generators installed before the upcoming winter heating season. ISC has not confirmed an approved budget for the installation at this time.

Regional officials spoke with the First Nation on May 15, 2020 and May 19, 2020, and were advised that the power has been generally reliable over the past week, with some interruptions overnight. The Regional Director General for ISC Ontario Region and Nibinamik First Nation Chief and Council are in the process of scheduling a meeting.

If Pressed on funding details (how much funding has been provided to the First Nation)
• Since 2016, Indigenous Services Canada has provided over $3.4 million to repair, upgrade, and support the operations and maintenance of the generating station.

• In 2019-2020, ISC funded the First Nation $900,000 to purchase two new diesel generators. These were delivered to the community this past winter via the ice road.

• ISC funding also covered the detailed design required for the generator installations.

• As of April 16, a supply of PPE was shipped to Nibinamik First Nation containing procedure masks, face shields, hand sanitizer, gloves and gowns.

• We will continue to have regular conversations with Chief and Council to address concerns related to the community’s generator and COVID-19.