SaskPower is hoping a new report will help alleviate some longstanding tensions between the power company and the northern community of Sandy Bay.
These tensions date back to the late 1920’s when the Island Falls dam was built near Sandy Bay to provide power to the Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Company in Flin Flon.
Many Sandy Bay residents feel the community has never been adequately compensated for impacts caused by the dam, but SaskPower President Robert Watson says he is optimistic the new report will move the two sides toward some sort of reconciliation.
“There are long drawn out tensions for sure, I mean they’ve been there for years and years and years,” he says. “We can’t change the past but we want to look toward a better future with us working with the community and engaging with the community on things we can work together on.”
The report, which was written by Ottawa firm Dialogue For Partners, recommends SaskPower invest in local community initiatives – such as rebuilding the arena and a seniors’ home – as well as education, training and employment programs.
The report cost $500,000 to produce.