The Ontario government is taking steps to accelerate the construction of a major transmission line in the north that it expects will help unlock development in the Ring of Fire.

Energy Minister Stephen Lecce and Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford were joined by the chiefs of the Animbiigoo Zaagi-igan Anishinaabek First Nation, the Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaaek First Nation, the Bingwi Neyaashi Anishnaabek First Nation, and the Red Rock Indian Band to announce that the Greenstone Transmission Line would be declared a priority project, with Hydro One directed to develop and build the project.

The 230-kilometre, single-circuit, 230 kV transmission line, which is designed to support a second circuit, will run from the East-West Tie near Nipigon Bay, connect to a new station near the Longlac Transformer Station, and extend north to terminate at a new switching station in or near Aroland First Nation.

The project is expected create more than 7,000 jobs and is part of the government’s plan to drive economic growth in the North and support mining sector development.

“Last year, our government took action to bolster our self-reliance by reducing the permitting timelines by 50 percent to build mines faster, along with a new processing fund to end the ripping and shipping of our resources abroad,” Lecce said.

Once complete in 2032, Greenstone will provide the capacity needed to unlock between 350 and 700 megawatts of additional hydroelectricity and other power generation.

Ontario committed to building the Greenstone Transmission Line as part of the Aroland – Ontario Shared Prosperity Agreement, which includes $70 million to advance work on the new line which will be essential for advancing mining operations in the Ring of Fire.

Indigenous communities will also have access to Hydro One’s First Nations Equity Partnership Model which will include First Nation leadership in decision making and 50 percent ownership of the line.

Development in the Ring of Fire has the potential to support more than 70,000 jobs across Ontario and generate approximately $22 billion in economic output over 30 years, helping fund schools, hospitals and public services.

Work on the Greenstone project began in 2023, as Ontario and the IESO launched the Northern Ontario Connection Study to explore connecting the region. Based on that work in 2024, Ontario launched the Reducing Diesel Reliance Initiative, culminating in a commitment to build clean energy transmission and generation in the region.