Tla’amin Nation Opposes 30-Year Export of Local Power to the U.S.
Visit https://keepourpowerlocal.ca before September 25th to have your voice heard
qathet, B.C. — September 19, 2025
Tla’amin Nation is calling on the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) to reject a proposal from Brookfield Power’s subsidiary, PREI, to export all power generated at the tiskʷat dam to the United States for the next 30 years.
“This plan breaks the agreement we signed in good faith,” said Tla’amin Hegus John Hackett. “We expected the power from tiskʷat to support businesses, jobs, and opportunities for our people and the region. Instead, Brookfield wants to ship every megawatt south. During a trade dispute and rising demand for clean energy at home, selling out Canada’s future is unimaginable.”
The proposal directly contradicts the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Tla’amin Nation and Brookfield Power, which was intended to ensure local access to power. Tla’amin has repeatedly requested that a portion of energy be reserved for regional redevelopment, but these requests have been ignored.
The environmental risks are serious. PREI’s extraordinary water rights authorize it to store 300 billion gallons of water and divert nearly 7,000 cubic feet per second from four rivers, giving it the ability to lower water levels in Powell Lake and Lois Lake at will. This threatens salmon habitat, fisheries, cabins, and the health of ecosystems that local communities depend on. Families here live with the environmental costs, while the benefits are shipped away.
“We need regulators to stand with us and act,” Hackett added. “Power from tiskʷat must stay in Canada, supporting local communities — not exported away. We urge the public to send a comment to the Canada Energy Regulator before September 25 by visiting keepourpowerlocal.ca. Every voice matters.”