The Williams Treaties First Nations have agreed to invest $700 million in the proposed Darlington New Nuclear project in Clarington, Ont.

The group says marking what they describe as the largest collective First Nations investment in nuclear-power generation in Canada

The investment will support the development of Canada’s first grid-scale small modular reactor (SMR), which is also the first such project in the G7. It is backed by a loan guarantee from the Canadian Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corporation, a subsidiary of Canada Development Investment Corporation, with the Ontario government participating as a 50% guarantor through the Indigenous Opportunities Financing Program administered by the Building Ontario Fund.. Ottawa said the two governments are supporting approximately $715 million in financing, the largest Indigenous loan guarantee in Canadian history,

The investment brings together the seven Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Anishinaabeg Nations that make up the Williams Treaties First Nations: Alderville First Nation, Beausoleil First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation, Hiawatha First Nation, Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation and Chippewas of Rama First Nation.

The Williams said the transaction establishes them as participants in one of Canada’s largest energy infrastructure projects while creating a framework for future Indigenous investment in major infrastructure developments across the group’s Territory.

In a joint statement, the Chiefs said: “Today, our Nations are taking an historic step forward. Through this investment, we are not only creating opportunities for our own communities – we are helping advance a project that will play an important role in meeting Ontario and Canada’s growing energy needs. This investment demonstrates what is possible when First Nations are able to participate meaningfully in projects taking place within their territories, not only as rights holders, but as investors, partners, and participants in the long-term success of the project.”

They added: “For generations, major infrastructure projects were built across our territories with little or no involvement from our Nations. Today, we are helping shape that future. This investment reflects a future where projects in our territories are developed with us leading and at the table – not carried out around us on our shared Lands and Waters. This is ownership, capital, and long-term responsibility at scale. It is an economic decision made on our own terms that reflects the role First Nations are increasingly playing in projects that are critical to Ontario and Canada’s future.”

The First Nations said the investment is expected to create long-term economic opportunities for participating communities while supporting Ontario’s growing demand for reliable, low-emissions electricity. They said the transaction follows several years of work with Ontario Power Generation, governments, financial advisers and financing partners to establish the conditions needed for Indigenous participation at this scale.

The Williams chiefs said the investment would not alter their treaty or Aboriginal rights or their expectations for meaningful consultation and accommodation.

“Our investment in this project does not change our Treaty and Aboriginal Rights, our Nation-to-Nation relationship with the Crown, or our expectations for meaningful consultation and accommodation. We remain committed to advocating for the interests of our communities and to ensuring that environmental protection, stewardship, and accountability remain central to this work.”

They also said: “As Anishinaabeg Peoples, our decisions are guided by our responsibilities to the lands and waters and by the principle of the Seven Generations. The choices we make today must create opportunities for our people while honouring our obligations to those who will come after us.”

The Williams’ traditional territories extend across much of south-central Ontario, including lands and waters surrounding Lake Ontario, Lake Simcoe, Georgian Bay and the Kawartha Lakes region.

The Darlington New Nuclear Project was one of the first one of the first proposed developments that Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government referred to the newly created Canadian Major Projects Office for fast-tracked approvals in what the government describes as a nation-building effort. The proposed project is an expansion of the existing Darlington nuclear-energy site.

Upon completion, the new development is expected to drive $500 million annually into Ontario’s nuclear supply chain and sustaining 3,700 jobs annually, including 18,000 during construction, according to the federal government.

At its full potential, the project’s four planned new nuclear reactors would provide 1,200 megawatts of clean, reliable electricity—enough to power about 1.2 million homes, more than the number of households in the Greater Toronto Area, the federal government said—while reducing carbon emissions by an average of up to 2.3 million tonnes annually between 2030 and 2050.

Ottawa said the loan-guarantee transaction marks the first collaboration between the Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corporation (CILGC) and a provincial loan-guarantee program. According to the federal government it will support participating First Nations in acquiring “a significant ownership stake in one of Canada’s most important energy projects and represents one of the first opportunities for Indigenous Nations to participate in nuclear energy infrastructure at scale.”

Acquiring an ownership stake in the project will ensure that Indigenous communities benefit directly from the long-term revenues generated by a major power-generation asset, the federal government added.

Federal Finance Minster François-Philippe Champagne said that ensuring Indigenous peoples share in the benefits of major infrastructure and energy projects is essential to building a stronger economy and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

“This historic loan guarantee represents an unprecedented investment in Indigenous partnership and prosperity,” said Rebecca Alta, the federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations.

The federal and provincial governments previously announced plans to invest a total of $3 billion in the project.

Pictured: The future Darlington New Nuclear Project in Clarlington, Ont.

Rendering: OPG