Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line Successfully Energized

On August 31, 2020, the Kingsvale Electricity Transmission line, located south of Merritt in the Nicola Valley, British Columbia, was successfully energized. With this milestone, Valard Construction LP (Valard) and the Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corp. (LNIBDC) will begin operating and maintaining the Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line, as partners.

The 138-kV transmission line connects to BC Hydro’s distribution line to provide additional power to Trans Mountain’s existing Kingsvale pump station, as well as to a new Kingsvale pump station, as part of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project.

“We are excited about the energization of this transmission line – it marks an important step towards this project being the first electricity transmission line to be majority-owned, operated, maintained and financed by an Indigenous group in Canada. We look forward to the economic benefits this project provides as well as continuing to build a relationship with Trans Mountain and our partner Valard that is based upon on trust, respect and teamwork” says Stuart Jackson, Chair of LNIBDC.

“We are very proud of this milestone for LNIBDC, Valard, and Trans Mountain. This has been a very unique partnership, and LNIBDC will benefit tremendously through the operation and maintenance of the Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line. As we move forward with the Expansion Project, we are proud to be creating partnerships for Indigenous communities and are committed to making a positive impact in the communities where we build and operate” says Ian Anderson, President, and CEO of Trans Mountain.

“I would like to congratulate and thank each and every employee, contractor, and partner that contributed to the safe and successful completion of this project! We cherish the relationships we form on all of our projects, but we’re especially pleased with the one we have with LNIBDC and we plan to cultivate and grow it well into the future” says Barkley Adams, President & CEO, Valard Group of Companies.

Valard Construction, a Quanta Services company, is Canada’s premier utility contractor, as well as head of the Valard Group of Companies. Valard has full-service capabilities for transmission, distribution, substations, foundations, telecommunications, and renewable energy.

Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corp. Will Own and Operate the New Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line

Partnership with Trans Mountain and Valard Construction will Create New Economic Opportunities

The Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corporation (LNIBDC) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a partnership with Trans Mountain and Valard Construction LP (Valard) to build, own, operate and maintain the new 24-kilometre Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line that will run through the Lower Nicola Indian Band’s traditional territory.

The 138-kV transmission line will connect from BC Hydro’s distribution line and provide additional power to Trans Mountain’s existing Kingsvale pump station, as well as a new Kingsvale pump station, as part of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project.

“This will be the first electricity transmission line to be constructed, majority-owned, operated, maintained and financed by an Indigenous group in Canada. This project will provide valuable economic benefits to the Lower Nicola Indian Band,” says Kevin Ainsworth, General Manager of LNIBDC.

LNIBDC holds a majority interest in partnership with Valard and has negotiated a 20-year contract with Trans Mountain Canada Inc. to construct the transmission line and interconnection to BC Hydro, as well as own, operate and maintain the line, with the potential of renewing the contract for an additional 20 years.

“We are proud to partner with LNIB and Valard on this unique project, which will provide direct and lasting economic opportunities. We are committed to ensuring that Indigenous communities share in the benefits of the Expansion Project and the partnerships we are creating are based on trust, respect and collaboration,” says Ian Anderson, President and CEO of Trans Mountain Corporation.

“We are extremely pleased to be the selected partner in this exciting project. Valard looks forward to working directly with LNIB, Trans Mountain and local Community partners through all phases of this project in support of local economic opportunities and development,” says Barkley Adams, CEO of Valard.

Construction of the transmission line will commence in a series of phased activities along the utility right-of-way through Kingsvale beginning no sooner than February 2020 and is expected to be completed by August 2020.

LNIBDC and its partner Valard will start operating and maintaining the Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line when construction is completed on behalf of Trans Mountain for a minimum of a year. The transfer of ownership will occur after a separate regulatory process has been completed.

Valard Construction, a Quanta Services company, is Canada’s premier utility contractor, as well as head of the Valard Group of Companies. Valard has full-service capabilities for transmission, distribution, substations, foundations, telecommunications and renewable energy. www.valard.com

 

Contacts:
Kevin Ainsworth, General Manager
LNIB Development Corporation
604-763-1844

Steve Sousa,
Chief Commercial Officer
Valard Construction
403-279-1003

2020-02-27 For Immediate Release – LNIB Development Corp New Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line

Vision and Mission Statement

Vision:

 

Contribute to the creation of a resilient, healthy and sustainable LNIB community.

 

Mission:

 

As the designated business entity for the LNIB, the development corporation priorities are wealth creation, employment opportunities, and economic community development while committing to the stewardship of its resources in a manner that provides lasting value for future generations.

 

In everything we do LNIB and its partners consider:

Culture, Safety & Environment.

 

Core Values and Principles:

 

–      Respect

–      Accountability & Strong Governance

–      Transparency

–      Collaboration

–      Judicious Risk

–      Community involvement

–      Diversification of local economy

–      Provision of fair living wages

 

 

First Nation Safety Conference

Safe Nations Safe Opportunities

First Nation Safety Conference will be held at Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel and Conference Center on September 14th and 15th 2017.  Please join us at our two days event with keynote address by Senator Murray Sinclair will feature a variety of workshops and networking opportunities for First Nation Leader, Administrators, Economic Development Managers, Business Owners and Workers interested in learning more about the many systems and programs available to support safe economic development opportunities for all.

Senator Murray Sinclair will deliver keynote address.

 

For full conference brochure and registration please visit www.fnsc-bc.ca

Good HR Practices Reduce Incentive

A recent Aboriginal Business Match event in Nanaimo led to an instant connection between Jennifer Wiegele and Cori Maedel, the CEO of Vancouver-based human resources consulting firm Jouta Performance Group.

They discovered an issue that had them equally concerned: their observation of an increase in unions targeting First Nations businesses.
Read the full article published in Business In Vancouver.

3 MT+Co. Lawyers Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Canada®

We are proud to announce that three of our lawyers have each been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2017 Edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada:

  1. Rob Miller in the areas of Aboriginal law and Natural Resources law;
  2. Jim Titerle in the area of Environmental law; and
  3. Jana McLean in the area of Environmental law.

It is an honour to be part of one of the oldest and most respected peer-review publications in the legal industry.

Trans Mountain and Line 3 Approved; Northern Gateway Rejected

On November 29, 2016, the federal government announced its decisions on three controversial pipeline projects. Ottawa has approved the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project (TMX) and the Enbridge Line 3 Expansion project (Line 3), while rejecting Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline (Northern Gateway).  The Prime Minister also announced the Canadian government’s intention to develop and implement legislation to ban crude-oil tanker traffic off of Canada’s Northwest Coast.

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LPNs – Jurisprudence

This information is forwarded on behalf of Patricia Bell, Clinical Practice Consultant, Home and Community Care, First Nations Health Authority.

Jurisprudence for LPNs – time is running out

On April 4, 2016, we informed 3436 LPNs that they need to complete CLPNBC’s Jurisprudence exam this year. To be eligible to renew their registration for 2017, these LPNs need to complete the Jurisprudence exam by October 31, 2016.

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Wellness and Beauty Modelling Workshop

October 15-16 2016 at Shulus Hall

30 seats available for female and male youth 13+ years.

The workshop will provide training in areas of hair, makeup, modelling and photography, to help develop you beauty within and without that we all have.  Working with your fundamentals – mind, body spirit and soul.

Read more