Harper Government Creates Jobs and Opportunities for the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations - Grand opening of the Haa-ak-suuk Creek Hydro Project

TOFINO, BC, June 11, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, congratulates the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations for reaching this important milestone with the grand opening of 6 MW Haa-ak-suuk Creek Hydro facility. The facility is located near Tofino, B.C., on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Our Government's funding of $748,052 supported many stages of the project's development – from the feasibility stage to design and construction, including environmental and permitting work, hydrology studies, and engineering and design.

The project will create several long-term, direct and indirect jobs and increase self-sufficiency for the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations. This project will provide a steady revenue stream for many decades to come that may be used to generate additional wealth and investment in the development of the community. 

As part of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations' economic development focus on renewable energy, the Haa-ak-suuk Creek Hydro project is the second run-of-river facility they have developed. The first, Canoe Creek Hydro, has been in operation since 2010 and the third facility, Winchie Creek Hydro, is nearing completion.

Quick Fact

• The Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations (formerly referred to as the Clayoquot), are a Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation with 1,066 members, of which 362 live on reserves along the Pacific Rim National Park on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
  

Quotes

"Our Government is committed to supporting local initiatives that bring growth and economic prosperity to the community. We congratulate the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations for reaching this milestone with their new hydroelectric project – a project that will bring increased employment opportunities to the community and benefit the entire region."

Bernard Valcourt
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

"Tla-o-qui-aht is proud to announce the grand opening of Haa-ak-suuk Hydro Project. Collaborating together to achieve these projects is a key step in Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations' economic and self-governance plan. Haa-ak-suuk Hydro is part of the economic core that will drive a multitude of other initiatives in the region."

Saya Masso
Economic Development Director, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation

Associated Links
ecoENERGY for Aboriginal and Northern Communities Program (EANCP)
Canoe Creek Hydro
Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations Community Profile

SOURCE Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Emily Hillstrom, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, 819-997-0002; Media Relations, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, 819-953-1160; You can subscribe to receive our news releases and speeches via RSS feeds or e-mail. For more information or to subscribe, visit www.aandc.gc.ca/subscriptions.