NeeStaNan (all of us)

Utility Corridor – Uniting Canadians

Overview

FACTS:

The NeeStaNan Utility Corridor Project will be led by First Nations. Prairie commodities such as oil, wheat and potash are landlocked in Western Canada. Current methods of transporting these resources are costly and inefficient, involving transporting resources via rail or pipelines to the west through the Rocky Mountains to reach international markets.

Landlocked Canadian oil doesn’t attract world oil prices, representing lost revenues of approximately $20 million per day.

Canada’s oil sands are high emitters of greenhouse gases.
Prairie industries — including the oil sands — need cleaner energy.
Manitoba’s hydro electric potential is underutilized.

SOLUTION – THE NEESTANAN WAY:

New oil pipeline and Hudson Bay seaport
Connecting Western Canadian oil to new international markets from Port Nelson, Manitoba attracting world oil prices for more revenue.

New hydroelectric power transmission system
Connecting Manitoba’s abundant hydroelectric power to the oil sands, providing sustainable energy and reducing coal and natural gas fired power generation, lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

New railway capacity
Connecting Canada’s agricultural products and minerals to international markets.

New international trade routes for Canada’s commodities.

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“No matter your walk of life everybody wants to provide for their family. This is what these projects do. However, you’ve got to be going in with a willing mind, not only to protect your rights and title, but also to build a future for the next generation.”
– Ellis Ross, Former Chief Councillor of Haisla Nation MLA, Skeena BC

Led by First Nations

The proposed NeeStaNan Utility Corridor will be designed to deliver economic, environmental and social benefits to First Nations’ communities and Canada by diversifying how we transport natural resources to national and international markets, safely and responsibly.

Economic Prosperity

The new pipeline, hydroelectric, rail and seaport infrastructure provided by the project would deliver new growth opportunities across Canada’s natural resource sector including oil, hydroelectric, agriculture and mining industries.

Canada’s landlocked oil doesn’t receive world oil prices, representing lost revenues of approximately $20 million per day. The Nee Sta Nan endeavour would change that.

Environmental

Nee Sta Nan aims to exceed environmental standards throughout its operations. Our plan strives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by increasing the use of hydroelectric power in western provinces and shaving thousands of kilometres off existing international oil shipping routes.

First Nations Benefits

  • First Nations in all decision making
  • Ownership income, plus profits from existing hydro power ownership
  • Expanded tax base for First Nations’ economic self-sufficiency and control of destiny
  • Focused on maximizing job creation for First Nations before, during and after construction
  • Industry spin offs in communities, including revenues to improve housing, social services and the local economy
  • As owners, First Nations would drive environmental goals, maximizing the project’s sustainability

Discover the Nee Sta Nan Project

A Fort McKay First Nations’ member provides an overview of the project as well as his perspectives on the economic, environmental and social transformation the utility corridor can bring to First Nations and Canadians.

The Route

NeeStaNan’s Port Nelson, Manitoba shipping route shaves of thousands of kilometres from existing trade routes, generating more revenues, reducing GHG emissions and bringing more responsibly produced Canadian energy to Canadians and world markets.

Port Nelson is 2,500 kilometres closer by rail or pipeline from the Alberta/Western oilfields than the current pipeline route to Houston.

Port Nelson is 6,000 kilometres away from Rotterdam refineries compared to the 9,000-kilometre distance from Houston to Rotterdam.

In summary, the NeeStaNan routes are 2,500 kilometres closer by pipeline (or rail) and 3,000 kilometres closer by ship – shaving 5,500 kilometres from existing transportation routes.

Port Nelson – Canada’s Prairie Port

Port Nelson would be the shipping gateway of the NeeStaNan project, providing Canadian exporters with new, shorter routes to bring their products to new Canadian and world markets.

“Canada is a global leader in clean electricity generation, but it will need to do much more to achieve its energy future affordably and reliably. A more integrated grid will be a key tool in accomplishing this feat.”
– Nick Martin, policy analyst and author

Why Now?

Canada’s oil resources are landlocked with a lack of transportation options to reach international markets.

Canada exports over 3 million barrels of oil per day to the United States.

Since the United States is its only customer, Canada sells its oil at a major discount and looses an estimated $20 million per day in revenues.

The United States purchases Canadian oil at a discount, and sells a portion of it at much higher world prices.

Current shipping routes are long and complex

“I say, the Creator created all things for a purpose. It’s not in the use of them, it’s in the abuse where things go wrong. I say we can develop our resources as long as we’re cognizant of the fact we need to put back. For every dollar you spend on development you can spend a dollar on the environment. Both will have their returns.”
– Robert Wavey, Former Chief & CEO, Fox Lake Cree Nation, Former Deputy Minister, Manitoba

Energy Without Borders

NeeStaNan Utility Corridor project is more than just a pipeline. We are setting out to prove that Canada’s elusive east to west power grid can become a reality.

While our energy is some of the cleanest in the world, the vast majority of our GHG emissions from power generation come from Alberta and Saskatchewan.

What if we could ‘green up’ these Provinces, while providing market access for their valuable resources?

This will allow us to achieve something that is unprecedented – reducing our national GHG emissions while driving economic prosperity through resource development.

First Nations are the Key

The proposed Utility Corridor route goes through many traditional First Nations territories. Instead of seeing this as a barrier, we see this as an opportunity.

What are the problems facing First Nations today?

  • Over reliance on Government dollars.
  • Lack of economic opportunities.
  • Mistrust of colonial powers.
  • Not enough of a voice to influence decisions on resource projects.

These issues lead to high suicide rates, infant mortality, imprisonment and addiction on reserves.

More Facts

  • 61% of Indigenous young adults (20-24) have not completed high school compared with 13% of non-Indigenous Canadians.
  • The suicide rate among self-identifying Indigenous people (14.7 deaths per 100,000 person-years at risk) was approximately twice as high as the rate among non-Indigenous people.
  • Although Indigenous children accounted for 7.7% of all children aged 0 to 4, they accounted for more than one-half (51.2%) of all foster children in this age group.
  • Indigenous people living on-reserve have the lowest labour force participation rate (52%).
  • There is nothing more important than clean water, especially now during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet at any given time there are more than 100 drinking water advisories in First Nations across Canada. The lack of clean, safe drinking water in First Nations is one of the greatest violations of the UN-recognized human rights to water and sanitation.
  • The Canada Utility Project brings additional profits and taxes that will make bands self-sustaining. Additional monies for the First Nations Reserves can be used for social change.
  • Aboriginal people in Canada are either not being connected to available job opportunities or lack the support systems, education or required training to actively participate in the resource economy. When First Nations people are not working, it represents much more than a missed opportunity; it reduces self-reliance and increases social spending. NeeStaNan is putting a huge focus on training and employment support to give long term career opportunities to First Nations.

What are the challenges facing the Energy sector?

Canada exports over 3 million barrels of oil per day to the United States.
Landlocked Canadian oil doesn’t attract world oil prices, representing lost revenues of approximately $20 million per day.

Did you know?

  • Canada has the third-largest proven reserves in the world, behind Venezuela and Saudi Arabia.
  • More than 3 million bbl/d of prairie oil is exported to the USA (at a discount to world markets).
  • Western Canadian Select trades at a significant discount to Brent.
  • Pipeline projects out of Western Canada would provide producers with much-needed market optionality and reduce reliance on a single export market.
  • Almost 1.7 million b/d of additional western Canadian crude oil supply is forecast by 2035. This additional supply of conventional and oil sands production, combined with diluent volumes to meet blending requirements will need substantial amounts of additional pipeline capacity.
  • Canada received the largest share of U.S. crude oil exports at 459,000 b/d (15%).

New Partnerships

With First Nations’ ownership and control, there will be significant opportunities for those living along the corridor route and beyond.  As owners, we as First Nations would drive our own environmental goals, maximizing the project’s sustainability while generating income, jobs, and prosperity for First Nations.

NeeStaNan Utility Corridor – A United Endeavour

The trading of goods has been in our DNA as Indigenous People for centuries, but somewhere along the way this was lost. It’s time to regain our prosperity, for the betterment of our communities and for our country.

The NeeStaNan Corridor will transform not only First Nations’ Communities, but Canada as a whole by creating new trade routes for oil, electricity, and commodities.

This project is critical for Canada.
A path forward in uncertain economic times.

Get in Touch

A NeeStaNan team member is available to answer your questions. If you would like to setup an iLive Steaming Call with Chief and council or with the community please contact us below.

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