b'RESOURCE DEVELOPMENTour communities have come tomining companies that assist the mineand services. We have specific ways that understand that. in making decisions around best practiceour communities can develop business, WTCs approach is workingtheiron operations, including opinionshe says. Our entrepreneurs can think communities now have 11 impact benefitof especially Elders or First Nationsabout how they want to get involved and agreements with operators within theirknowledge on environmental issues.then, using our agreements, find ways to region. Each of those projects commitsTheyre taking that into play and makingservice those mines to give them a little to some environmental standards, Idecisions around how they operate withbit of a hand up to get those contracts think over and above what governmentsome of our knowledge in place and usingand reap the benefits of working forrequires, and including First Nations inthat to, I think, make better decisions onthe mine.the design, development, operations andenvironmental matters. Batise says they also haveongoing maintenance of their mines,Batise notes that their agreementsemployment conditions to prioritize with the inclusion of First Nationsinclude a chapter that states how Firstjobs for community members. Thats opinion in mind, Batise says. WeNations businesses are going to beimportant for usit wasnt that long ago actually have people embedded withprioritized to provide mines with goodsthat our folks were mostly unemployed, he explains. But with our agreements now, I would suggest that our folksHonoring Tradition in the communities are almostSecuring Futures! 100-per-cent employed.In addition to employment Life Benet Solutions & WPrequirements, the WTC also has Pensions+Benets proudly supportan economic benefit with revenue Indigenous communities withshares from the mines success. The customized employee benets and retirement plans. With a focus oncommunities receive regular payments sustainability and communitybased on production and based on the strength, our solutions help protectsuccess of the mine, Batise says, noting families and build a secure futurethat the communities are using the for generations to come. payments for discretionary purposes. Empower Your Community Today! Our communities are building new Lets create a plan that works for you. facilities like band offices, health centres, +1.866.605.5433 education centres, recreation centres, lifeinc.ca | wpbenets.ca and we dont have to ask government for those funds anymorethe communities are able to make those investments and decisions on their own.Since executing their first agreements around 15 years ago, WTCs strategy has seen positive outcomes for both the communities and their industry partners. Im very happy to say that the mining industry has been sort of heads-up and very much at the forefront of creating relationships with communities, at least in our area, Batise says. We have very good relationships with ourmining friends.WTC communities have also done five hydroelectric dam developments and are currently working with Hydro One and other First Nations on a BUILDING DREAMS.260-kilometre transmission corridor CREATING REALITY. between Wawa and Timmins. We were awarded that work in January, and were going to be 50-50 partners with At Better Building Solutions, we are not satisfied until you are! Our goal is jim@bbsinc.caHydro Oneto own and operate the to fulfill your building needs as quickly as possible while maintaining the highest quality workmanship. Allow us to make your dreams a reality!807-853-0479 hydroelectric corridor, Batise says. So Contact us today for a free quote. bbsinc.ca weve got our fingers on lots of things, and rightly sothe communities are poised for long-term prosperity.38l I ssue1 2025C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne'