Abitibi-Témiscamingue, December 17, 2025

Electricity in Kitcisakik – The community celebrates the village’s connection to Hydro-Québec’s power system

Kitcisakik, Québec – A momentous celebration held in Kitcisakik today brought together the Conseil des Anicinapek, community members and representatives from Hydro-Québec, the Secrétariat aux relations avec les Premières Nations et les Inuit, the Société d’habitation du Québec and Indigenous Services Canada to mark the electrification of the village located in the Réserve faunique La Vérendrye, 90 kilometres southeast of Val-d’Or.

The residents of Kitcisakik had not had access to Hydro-Québec’s electricity service since the founding of their community. With the construction of a distribution line connecting the village to Hydro-Québec’s grid and the conversion of the electrical systems in local buildings, they can now count on a reliable energy supply from a renewable source.

A symbolic and moving moment during today’s celebration: a group of children from the village lighting the Christmas tree in the company of the band council.

Animiki Ickote: Electricity in Anishnabe

As part of the Animiki Ickote project, Hydro-Québec teams spent three years designing and building a power line between Louvicourt substation and the village, along with a distribution system within the community.

The government of Québec carried out the work to adapt the electrical systems of homes previously supplied by diesel generators, and Indigenous Services Canada oversaw the conversion of the electrical systems in the local community and institutional buildings, including the band council office and École Mikizicec.

Project overview :

2022: Design and engineering work
2023: Start of clearing work, with pole installation and electrical work completed in 2025
70 kilometres: Length of the power line between Kitcisakik and Louvicourt substation
2,000: Poles planted in the right-of-way along Route 117 and in the community
150 homes and community buildings connected to the new local distribution system
More than 150 people from Hydro-Québec, the Société d’Habitation du Québec, the Secrétariat aux relations avec les Premières Nations et les Inuit, Indigenous Services Canada and subcontractors who helped make the project a reality

Quotes

“Today, we are taking concrete action to improve the quality of life for the people of Kitcisakik. Access to electricity is a basic service that is essential to the safety and development of a community. I am proud of the work accomplished with Hydro-Québec and our partners to ensure that the members of the Kitcisakik community can finally count on reliable, clean energy.”

François Legault
Premier of Québec

“This day marks a historic moment in Kitcisakik’s history: our community is entering a new era with great enthusiasm. The arrival of electricity will make daily life easier for the members of Kitcisakik.”

Édouard Brazeau
Chief of the Conseil des Anicinapek de Kitcisakik

“Connecting Kitcisakik to Hydro-Québec’s power grid is so much more than an infrastructure project. For today’s families and future generations, reliable and sustainable access to electricity opens the door to better living conditions. This project, which was made possible through a solid partnership with the Conseil des Anicinapek de Kitcisakik, highlights the council’s leadership and reflects the government’s commitment to the well-being of Indigenous communities.”

Mandy Gull-Masty
Minister of Indigenous Services

“Since I first visited the community, I’ve hoped for the day when it would be connected to Hydro-Québec’s power system. As the holidays draw near and temperatures drop, this is excellent news for community members, who can now rely on a dependable and renewable energy source to meet their daily needs. I sincerely thank everyone who worked tirelessly to complete this major project, which supports the long-term development of the people of Kitcisakik.”

Ian Lafrenière
Minister Responsible for Relations with the First Nations and Inuit

“Connecting the Anicinapé community of Kitcisakik to Hydro-Québec’s grid in 2025 paves the way for sustainable opportunities, the right to live free from discrimination and a future built on autonomy and dignity.”

Francis Verreault-Paul
Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Québec-Labrador

“Today, we celebrate the vital connection of Kitcisakik to the grid. For the first time, our renewable electricity will light up this Christmas tree, illuminating the future for the community’s five hundred residents. The mobilization and dedication of our teams reaffirm Hydro-Québec's priority: to provide all Quebecers with reliable service and sustainable energy security.

Claudine Bouchard
President and Chief Executive Officer of Hydro-Québec