Publications

A boardroom meeting table and chairs

OFNTSC announces new Board of Directors following governance reforms

BRANTFORD, ON (January 12, 2021) – On January 7, 2021, Voting Members of the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC) selected a new Board of Directors after undertaking extensive governance reform work. These governance reforms aim to ensure that OFNTSC is focused on delivering the vital technical and capacity building services that First Nations in Ontario need to become self-sustaining and to achieve living standards that are comparable to those enjoyed by Canadians at large.

A close up of a water faucet with water pouring out into a glass being held by someone's hand

Mishkeegogamang First Nation lifts long-term boil water advisory with the help of OFNTSC’s HUB Program

MISHKEEGOGAMANG FIRST NATION, ON – Since the inception of the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation’s (OFNTSC) HUB program on Sept 14, 2020, HUB technicians have had the pleasure of working with, and providing expert water treatment support to Mishkeegogamang First Nation. Through the process of local analysis/testing and operational support, Mishkeegogamang First Nation Chief David Masakeyash was able to make the decision to rescind the long-term boil water advisory.

A water valve

Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation begins pilot “HUB” Program

Thunder Bay, ON – The Ontario First Nation Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC) sets its sights on reducing Water Advisories in twenty-two First Nations with a pilot “HUB” program. The main goal of the HUB Pilot project is to provide oversight and supervision to twenty-two (22) First Nations who currently do not have the resources and capacity for fulfilling HUB services. This project will enable First Nations' operators to ensure that their community's water and wastewater systems are operated and maintained to meet the Province of Ontario's Drinking Water Regulations. 
A trophy with gold confetti coming out of it

OFNTSC Announces Winners of the 2020 Student Achievement Awards

BRANTFORD, ON (August 10, 2020) – Today, the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporations (OFNTSC) announced the winners of its 2020 Student Achievement Awards. Each year, these awards are given to First Nations students in Ontario who are pursuing a technical career. The awards, valued at $2,000 each, are comprised of two Student Achievement Awards and three memorial awards. The memorial awards are given out in honour of OFNTSC’s late colleagues whose work has left an indelible mark on First Nations throughout Ontario. The winners of the 2020 Student Achievement awards are Chantel Desrochers and Megan Laroche. The 2020 Derrick Kamanga Memorial Award winner is Sterling George; the Robert Olivier Memorial Award winner is Aaryn Zoccole; and the Jay Benedict Memorial Award Winner is Bohdana Innes.

On Reserve Operations and Maintenance Policy: The Case for Reform

The current Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) operations and maintenance (O&M) policy and funding allocation framework and is significantly flawed. The discrepancy between actual O&M costs First Nations experience and ISC contributions (which are based on project costs rather than life-cycle costs), in addition to the lack of a structured asset management policy, leads to higher costs and prevents First Nations infrastructure and community assets from achieving their full life cycles.

OFNTSC Environmental Services: Exploring Challenges and Opportunities in Source Water Protection, Contaminated Sites, Solid Waste Management and Environmental Assessment

Environmental management on First Nation’s reserves, as in other jurisdictions across the country deals with a number of issues related to how lands and waters are managed to ensure the protection of the local environment and healthy living conditions for people and wildlife.