MMS 101
VOLUME 4 - JANUARY 2014 The long-term goal of the Mesgi’g Ugju’s’n is to bring significant revenues that will fund programs and improve services for the well being of the L’nug.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: ✦Where
will the wind farm be located? The 150 MW wind farm will be located within the MRC d’Avignon. The project site is located 30 kms up the Escuminac North Road.
✦When
will construction start? In the summer of 2015.
✦How
many jobs will be created? During construction phase, approximately 300 jobs will be created (1/3 of which will be for Mi’gmaq workers). Over the 20-year operation period, there will be 10 direct and 100 indirect jobs created.
✦Will
Mi’gmaq community members receive any revenues from this project? The revenues generated from the sale of electricity will belong to the three communities of Gespeg, Gesgapegiag & Listuguj. The Mi’gmawei Mawiomi will be using a revenue-sharing model called a ‘Bare Trust Model’ to distribute the revenues to communities. will community members expect to see any revenues? We anticipate having the project integrate into the Hydro Quebec grid by December of 2016, and revenues will be generated from that point forward for the next 20 years (life of the project).
In 2009, the Mi’gmawei Mawiomi directed the Secretariat to engage the Federal and Provincial governments, and the private sector in negotiations to secure a wind farm for the communities of Gesgapegiag, Gespeg & Listuguj. On May 10, 2013 the wind project, Mesgi’g Ugju’s’n, became a reality. At that time, the Government of Quebec announced the opening of new wind projects totaling 800 MWs, with 150 MWs being set aside for the Mi’gmaq. Our partner for this project is Innegex Renewable Energy. This company is headquartered in Longueil, Quebec; they have been active in the renewable energy sector for over 20 years. What is a ‘Bare Trust Model’? - A ‘Bare Trust Model’ is a corporate structure that will allow the Mi’gmawei Mawiomi to manage and operate future business and for-profit enterprises owned by the three communities of Gesgapegiag, Gespeg and Listuguj.
✦When
Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Secretariat 2 Riverside West Listuguj, QC G0C 2R0 secretariat@migmawei.ca
Anticipated benefits of this project: • Job creation. • Strong capacity building in business and governance. • Revenue generator – Net cash flow to the Mi’gmaq between 150-175 million over the 20 year lifecycle of the project. • Leverage for new Mi’gmaq business in the natural resources and construction sector. • Foster relations between the Government of Quebec and the Mi’gmaq Nation.