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Ontario Power Generation and Lac Seul First Nation Sign Settlement Agreement

TORONTO, Nov. 16 - The Lac Seul First Nation (LSFN) and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) are pleased to announce the signing of an agreement that resolves past impacts in the Lac Seul First Nation traditional territory and establishes the foundation for a positive relationship between the Lac Seul First Nation and Ontario Power Generation. The agreement also provides the opportunity for a commercial relationship with Lac Seul First Nation that will benefit both parties.

OPG's President and CEO, Jim Hankinson stated: "This agreement redresses issues of the past and provides the opportunity for establishing a new commercial relationship with the Lac Seul First Nation."

LSFN Elder Shamandy Kejick, speaking in Anishinaabemowin, opened the signing ceremony with a prayer and spoke about the hardships felt by the people of Lac Seul in the years since the first flooding. Councilor Mervin Ningewance followed the Elder with a drum song and traditional blessings for the signing ceremony. Chief Clifford Bull said: "This agreement recognizes the impacts of the past and looks forward to a more positive future. Our people support the work that is being done by OPG to add additional generation at the Lac Seul site. In the future we want to build a commercial relationship with OPG in which our people can benefit from projects on our traditional lands." Chief Bull also spoke on the First Nation now being able to begin to address the impacts to the reserve and its people. Several other Band Councilors, Youth Council Chief Dinah Maud, and former Chief David Gordon were also in attendance at the signing ceremony.

OPG's Executive Vice President, Hydro, John Murphy said: "This agreement is a model to facilitate the construction of new clean, renewable hydro power through a partnership between OPG and the Lac Seul First Nation." A new hydroelectric plant is currently being constructed at the Ear Falls site that will add over 12 MW of renewable supply to Northern Ontario.

This settlement addresses the impacts of the Root River diversion project and the generating stations at Ear Falls and Manitou Falls. The First Nation represents over 2,710 Band members, with approximately 850 living in one of the reserve's three communities.

Ontario Power Generation is an Ontario-based electricity generation company whose principal business is the generation and sale of electricity in Ontario. OPG's focus is on the efficient production and sale of electricity from our generation assets, while operating in a safe, open and environmentally responsible manner.

For further information: Ontario Power Generation, Media Relations, 1-877-592-4008 or (416) 592-4008; Lac Seul First Nation, (807) 582-3503, P.O. Box 100, Hudson, Ontario P0V 1X0