To obtain ongoing advice and guidance on the development of the Aboriginal Energy Partnerships Program (AEPP), the OPA established an Aboriginal Advisory Committee. The committee will provide advice and guidance to the OPA on the development of details of the AEPP.

The committee is made up of eight members:

• five Ontario First Nations representatives
• two Ontario Métis representatives
• one OPA representative (acting as chair).

The committee also includes one observer from the Ministry of Energy.

The committee will meet regularly to provide its advice and guidance on various aspects of the AEPP, including sharing feedback received from the First Nation and Métis communities. The AAC, however, will not be providing any advice or feedback about specific projects.

Meetings

The first Aboriginal Advisory Committee meeting was held on April 12 and 13, 2010. The session included meaningful and thoughtful questions and feedback from committee members about the various elements of the Aboriginal Energy Partnerships Program (AEPP). 

Members of the OPA team successfully presented and conveyed the key components of the AEPP and the FIT Program. Committee members appreciated the knowledgeable responses and professionalism of the OPA staff. 

The OPA's CEO, Colin Andersen, and OPA Board member, Ron Jamieson, joined committee members for dinner on the evening of April 12. Their remarks were appreciated by committee members, particularly Colin’s statement about the importance of the committee input to the developments of the AEPP.

The committee was updated on the upcoming launch of the Aboriginal Renewable Energy Fund and the Aboriginal Renewable Energy Network on April 27, two of the three elements of the AEPP. The program will be introduced into communities in May and June.

Committee members

The following individuals are the first members of the committee:

Helen Bobiwash

Philip Ducharme

Josias Fiddler

Fred Kelly

Robert McKay

Gregory Plain

Robin Ranger

Hillary Thatcher (Chair)