Thank you, Jim.
My primary responsibility involves implementation of OPG's first nations and Métis relations policy. Given the location of OPG's nuclear, thermal, and hydroelectric operations, we have relationships with over 50 first nations and Métis communities in Ontario. OPG's first nations and Métis relations policy is designed to build strong, mutually beneficial relationships with first nations and Métis communities. It commits OPG to addressing past grievances related to historical development.
To date, OPG has settled over 20 past grievances. On an ongoing basis, each business unit is required to develop plans in the areas of community relations and outreach, employment and contracting opportunities, and capacity building. As well, the policy makes a clear commitment to enter into commercial arrangement partnerships with first nations and Métis communities on new developments.
One of these partnerships involves our Lower Mattagami project in northeastern Ontario. In 2010, OPG and Moose Cree First Nation entered into a partnership for the redevelopment of hydroelectric facilities on the Lower Mattagami River. Moose Cree First Nation will be taking a 25% equity stake in this $2.6-billion project. As well, Moose Cree and other surrounding first nations and Métis communities are enjoying significant employment and contracting opportunities.
The environmental assessment for the Lower Mattagami project required that 200 person-years of employment be provided to specific local aboriginal communities. To meet this target, OPG entered into preferential employment agreements with Moose Cree, Taykwa Tagamou Nation, and the Métis Nation of Ontario. To address the lack of existing service coordination at the time in the region and to meet the EA employment goals, OPG worked with Moose Cree to create a training-to-employment agency called Sibi. Sibi is a Cree word for river. Its board of directors includes representatives from Moose Cree, Taykwa Tagamou, the Métis Nation of Ontario, OPG, and our contractor, Kiewit-Alarie.
To date, Sibi has helped to achieve over 400 person-years of employment for the aboriginal people on this project. With more than a year before the construction phase is completed, we expect this number to grow beyond 500 person-years of aboriginal employment. Additionally, more than 70 of Sibi's clients are registered apprentices, and an estimated 25 will complete their apprenticeships by the end of the project. Sibi is providing transitioning to ensure continued full-time employment and program support for its clients beyond this project. The program utilized by Sibi is seen as a best practice across Canada.
The program has cost approximately $16 million over a four-year period. Roughly $4 million was provided by HRSDC through the ASEP program. Success in the program can be accredited to OPG having an equal say with the aboriginal communities in the management of the program dollars. Together we have worked with the contractor and unions to ensure follow-through on the commitments, to provide information on the timing of jobs, the qualifications required, and the most appropriate training programs, etc.
OPG has provided structure, resources, reporting tools, and more.
At a higher level, the greatest success by far is the individual capacity that has been created for the aboriginal people in the region. A significant number of persons who previously did not have their grade 12 now have achieved this, as well as additional certifications and work experience required to continue on a path of lifelong progressive careers.
Over and above these significant achievements, OPG has worked to put an exemplary training and employment service into a place where it did not previously exist. With OPG's partnership, Sibi has created a database of 2,000 clients and has trained and employed over 700 persons in the region. OPG's next challenge is to ensure a successful hand-off of our Sibi model and to maximize the aboriginal employment on other large-scale projects such as our Darlington refurbishment, and to put systems in place to better coordinate with aboriginal skills and employment training agencies, the ASETAs, and other community and industry partners. OPG has begun to do this work to some extent in partnership with the Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario, AABO. We look forward to working with the federal government in whatever capacity may be available for assistance in putting such regional training board structures into place.
I'll now pass it back to Jim.