Gowling WLG is honoured to have advised the Cree First Nation of Waswanipi on one of the first large energy infrastructure projects to be wholly owned by an Indigenous community in Canada and the first such project in the province of Québec.

The 85km long 69 kV hydro-electric power line – which is built, financed, owned and operated by the Waswanipi Cree First Nation, and is located on its traditional territory – was completed on schedule in January 2024. The power line provides much-needed grid power to a major gold mine project owned by the Windfall Mining Group (a partnership between Osisko Mining Inc. and Gold Fields Windfall Holdings Inc.), allowing the mine to move away from costly and CO2-emitting diesel generated electricity.

A team led by Alex O'Reilly (Indigenous Law) advised the Cree First Nation of Waswanipi and its related business entities on the corporate structuring, development and financing aspects of the project. The team also advised on the full suite of project contracts, as well all legal aspects relating to the $63-million senior debt facility provided by Investissement Québec, the Fonds de solidarité des travailleurs du Québec and the Société de développement de la Baie-James to fund the development and construction of transmission line.

"We are immensely proud to have advised the Cree First Nation of Waswanipi on this historic project," said Alex. "This achievement not only marks a significant milestone for Indigenous communities in Canada but also serves as a powerful example of self-determination, nation-building and environmental stewardship."

In addition to Alex, Gowling WLG's team comprised Daniel Lacelle (Tax), Mathieu Santos-Bouffard (Corporate), Camille Beaudry (Corporate), Anne-Marie Brien (Construction), David Kierans (Financing), Laura Gheorghiu (Tax), Pouyan Zabihian (Tax), Nicolas Dubé (Energy) and paralegals Mélanie Bergeron and Carine Bayouk.

About Gowling WLG's Indigenous Law Group

Since the 1950s, Gowling WLG has been at the forefront of Indigenous law in Canada. The firm has worked alongside Canada's First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in landmark self-government agreements, resource development projects and Supreme Court cases. Gowling WLG is one of the only full-service law firms in Canada that acts for Indigenous clients as well as private industry, project proponents and all levels of government. Learn more.