A water valve

Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation begins pilot “HUB” Program

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Thunder Bay, ON – The Ontario First Nation Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC) sets its sights on reducing Water Advisories in twenty-two First Nations with a pilot “HUB” program.

The main goal of the HUB Pilot project is to provide oversight and supervision to twenty-two (22) First Nations who currently do not have the resources and capacity for fulfilling HUB services. This project will enable First Nations' operators to ensure that their community's water and wastewater systems are operated and maintained to meet the Province of Ontario's Drinking Water Regulations. 

The HUB is a multi-disciplinary team of industry professionals dedicated to enhancing First Nations' Operator’s capacity so that community members can attain and maintain the licensing requirements at the level their treatment systems are classified. This approach will not only ensure that an Operator has the ability to maintain employment and contribute to the local economy but also eliminate any of the risks associated with attending training offsite and leaving water & wastewater infrastructure unattended.   

“The OFNTSC's HUB will support Unaffiliated First Nations Water Treatment Operators efforts to ensure that their communities and its members have reliable infrastructure to produce safe drinking water,” said Glen Goodman, Director of Engineering and Infrastructure Services at OFNTSC.

The HUB program is currently engaging the twenty-two (22) First Nations communities covered by this service to explain OFNTSC’s role in detail and that is this service is available to them with no charge. Once a community requests assistance or our services, a work order will be issued to track service history, and a HUB Process Tech will be assigned to provide service.

OFNTSC's HUB program is funded by Indigenous Services Canada supporting the Federal Government's commitment to end Boil Water Advisories & Long-Term Drinking Water Advisories in First Nation communities across Canada.

The Communities who may benefit from the HUB program are:

  • Weenusk First Nation
  • Pays Plat First Natio
  • Ojibways of Pic River First Nation
  • Red Rock First Nation
  • Mishkeegogamang First Nation
  • Michipicoten First Nation
  • Ojibway Nation of Saugeen First Nation
  • Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
  • Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation
  • Chippewas of Nawash First Nation
  • Wahgoshig First Nation
  • Wahta Mohawks First Nation
  • Shawanaga First Nation
  • Curve Lake First Nation
  • Hiawatha First Nation
  • Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation
  • Temagami First Nation
  • Anishinaabeg of Naongashing First Nation
  • Naotkamegwanning First Nation
  • Gull Bay First Nation
  • Grassy Narrows First Nation
  • Sandy Lake First Nation

About OFNTSC: The Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC) provides technical services to one hundred and thirty-four (134) First Nations in Ontario, including sixteen Tribal Councils.  The services OFNTSC provides include Communications, Emergency Planning, Engineering, Environmental Services, Fire Safety, Fuel System Management, Housing, Infrastructure, Maintenance, and Water and Wastewater.