Ontario Fast-Tracks Barrie to Sudbury Transmission Line with Full First Nation Partnership

February 9, 2026

the Ontario government is fast-tracking the Barrie to Sudbury Transmission Line by declaring it a priority project and designating Hydro One to develop and construct it.

The new 290-kilometre, 500-kilovolt transmission line will run from the Essa Transformer Station near Barrie to the Hanmer Transformer Station in Sudbury and represents a major step forward to power northern Ontario and support economic growth. The project will create more than 9,000 jobs and is part of the government’s broader plan to protect Ontario by strengthening energy security, supporting mining sector development, and reshoring Ontario’s domestic supply chains.

This nation-building investment advances economic reconciliation by creating meaningful partnership opportunities with Indigenous communities, including access to up to 50 per cent ownership through Hydro One’s First Nations Equity Partnership Model.

News Releases:

En: Transmission Line

Fr: Ligne de transmission