Inaccurate description of Indigenous role in project

I am submitting an addendum to my previous comment, no. 166, in which I requested a complete environmental impact assessment of this project.

At a question and answer event hosted by PROENERGY in Tantramar on August 13, we found out that the documents submitted to the IAAC and shared at community events misrepresent the level of engagement with Indigenous stakeholders. On page 4 of their submission, PROENERGY says that: "WattBridge will also continue to engage NSMTC as a minor equity partner in the Project." Their poster presentation at open houses on August 12 and 13 claims that "Facility will be owned by PROENERGY and the North Shore Mi'kmaq Tribal Council (NSMTC) under a 25-year power purchase agreement with NB Power."

At the event on August 13, a representative of the NSMTC said that they have an option to become equity partners. This has not yet happened and he was unwilling or unable to speak on behalf on communities that the proponent claimed in IAAC Zoom consultations were very happy with this deal. The First Nations listed in the proponent's documents may never be minor equity stakeholders - their investment is yet to be decided.

I understand why we may not have access to contract language, but I believe that the materials shared by the proponents are intentionally deceptive. This should be a massive red flag for the IAAC and all agencies involved in evaluating this proposal.

I am amending my first comment. I am now requesting that the contract between PROENERGY and NB Power be dissolved. Whatever the cost in time and money, this project cannot be allowed to go forward. We have no reason to trust the documentation that the proponent provided to the IAAC.