THE ENERGY CORRIDOR FIRST NATIONS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Energy Corridor First Nations Hires Industry Executives Derek Chum, David Pasieka, Mike Snow and Tracy Zanini on the Barrie Sudbury Transmission Line Project
02 March 2026 - The Energy Corridor First Nations (ECFN) announced today four key appointments to strengthen the consortium's role as a committed and effective partner with the Ministry of Energy and Mines and Hydro One Networks Inc. in the Barrie–Sudbury Transmission Line (BSTL) project.
ECFN is a voluntary consortium of 11 First Nations, currently including Wahnapitae, Atikameksheng, Dokis, Nipissing, Henvey Inlet, Magnetawan, Shawanaga, Moose Deer Point, Mississaugas of Scugog Island, Alderville, and Wasauksing First Nations, whose Treaty and Traditional Lands are likely to be impacted by the Barrie-to-Sudbury transmission line expansion.
ECFN has appointed Derek Chum from Moose Cree First Nation as Lead Negotiator to represent the consortium's collective interests in the project. Derek is a highly respected executive and governance specialist with decades of experience supporting First Nations in complex negotiations. From 2017 to 2020, Derek served as Vice President – Indigenous Relations at Hydro One and was responsible for leading the company's engagement with Indigenous communities on capital projects.
“ECFN is at a pivotal moment,” said Derek Chum. “The BSTL project represents long-term economic participation, capacity building, and intergenerational opportunity. Our focus is ensuring First Nations are informed and positioned to fully participate as project partners throughout the entirety of this process.” Chief Adam Pawis of Shawanaga First Nation and ECFN member added, “The appointment of Derek with his unique expertise reflects our dedication and unity as a collective. ECFN is building the structure, governance, and experience required to be an active and capable partner to ensure economic reconciliation from this project is operational and long-term.”
ECFN has also appointed David Pasieka and Mike Snow, both formerly of Algonquin Power, to lead the consortium's business initiatives arising from the BSTL project. David and Mike each bring more than 30 years of executive leadership in the power, renewables, utility, and telecom sectors. Their key focus will be supporting the development and construction of the Barrie to Sudbury transmission line in collaboration with Hydro One and the selected Engineering, Procurement, and Construction contractor.
Tracy Zanini, formerly of Shared Value Solutions, has been appointed as Operations Manager to provide organizational support to ECFN's participation in the project. Ms. Zanini brings over two decades of experience working alongside First Nations in environmental, regulatory, and development processes. As Operations Manager, she will provide coordination, accountability, and project readiness support to ensure ECFN is positioned to engage effectively at every stage of the project negotiations and lifecycle.
Today’s announcements build on the recent ECFN milestone announcement of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Ontario’s Ministry of Energy and ECFN that formalized a government-to-government partnership approach for the BSTL project. The MOU reflects the inherent rights of First Nations and advances prosperity through real First Nation participation, including skilled careers, contracting opportunities, and long-term involvement in the planning and management of energy infrastructure within First Nation territories.
This line is a strategic priority for the Ontario Government and is required to address a critical bottleneck in the energy grid between Northern and Southern Ontario. ECFN’s mandate is to advance and manage critical infrastructure developments that align with its members' constitutionally protected rights and environmental stewardship responsibilities, ensuring that First Nations can attain the full benefits of projects that impact their land and people.
Following the initial signing of the MOU with MEM, ECFN welcomed six additional First Nations into its membership, expanding its collective representation to eleven First Nations and creating opportunities for more to join. ECFN’s growing membership reflects sustained interest among First Nations in pursuing shared opportunities, coordinated representation, and equitable participation in major infrastructure projects impacting their traditional land and treaty territories, which is codified in the consortium's mandate.
Together, these developments demonstrate the growing momentum ECFN is building through strengthened governance, expertise, and an expanding membership, positioning the consortium as a fully participating partner in the BSTL project and future corridor infrastructure projects.
Media Contact: Kate Babony 416-864-7609
CLICK HERE or click the image to open the Press Release re Hiring of Chum, Pasieka, Snow and Zanini - 2026 03 02 - 4904-3168-2193 4.pdf
