MIDDLEPORT -The chamber of commerce and officials from Six Nations, Brantford and the counties of Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk believe they made political and economic history Friday. That's when they got Energy Minister Brad Duguid to don a shirt with "Ontario's Green Energy Hub" emblazoned across the front and formally recognize their partnership in a speech.
Mayors, directors of municipal economic development departments and public utilities, along with leaders of the Chamber of Commerce Brantford Brant broke into loud applause on two cruise boats in the middle of the Grand River after Duguid had finished tugging on the shirt.
"I congratulate all of you here for having the vision to recognize this great opportunity for your community," he told the dignitaries.
"What the McGuinty government is doing through the Green Energy Act and what you are doing by declaring this great community a Green Energy Hub is really about us as a generation stepping up, taking responsibility, and saying together we can and must build a strong and reliable energy system for the next generation."
The chamber has been working for two years to bring the municipalities and Six Nations together in the project. To give the partnership a rousing public sendoff, the chamber organized a continental breakfast of pastries on two boats belonging to Grand River Cruises, near Middleport, which plied the waves in both directions with the banks of Brant, Haldimand and Six Nations in the background.
Chamber president Barry English also produced a video promoting the hub to show at the breakfast.
Brant MPP Dave Levac has lobbied Duguid to recognize the region as a green hub working within the principles of the Liberal government's Green Energy Act.
Up to the moment that Duguid took the podium, however, no one knew for sure if he would bless the partnership.
"We strongly believe that with the natural advantages our region provides, combined with a strong co-ordinated regionally- driven marketing strategy along with the implementation of an effective business plan, we can succeed," said English.
"The potential for jobs, investment, assessment, educational opportunities and the resulting prosperity is profound."
It was a poignant moment for Six Nations Chief Coun. Bill Montour, who also has been working with his own council and Brant on a green energy accord and the overall hub project.
Six Nations has gone through "hard times" and needs something to break with that legacy, he told the gathering.
"Our people have told me quite clearly they want jobs and investment opportunities."
When he read the Green Energy Act, Montour said he realized the potential for prosperity was at hand. He remembered the day "the lights went out" in the power failure of 2003, which brought home the reality that the province's electricity system was broken and badly in need of an overhaul.
But selling the green energy initiative was difficult, even with his own council, he recounted. He had to keep reminding them of the fact that change is the only constant in the human journey.
"My people missed the industrial age. We were running down the track chasing the caboose. Then there wasn't even a caboose anymore," he said.
"This time the train is in the station. I want us to get on the club car."
Haldimand Mayor Marie Trainer said the green energy hub agreement is an important initiative that both points to a future and helps bridge the gap that has grown between Six Nations and surrounding communities over the land claims dispute, and even within communities.
"We have a lot of blended (native-non-native) families. This is tearing them apart and holding back our futures," she said in an interview.
"We can't solve the land claims. We have to set them aside for others to do. But we can resolve to work together in other areas."
Brant Mayor Ron Eddy called the morning a "watershed moment."
He said the green energy accord that Brant struck with Six Nations last year to develop jointly in areas along Highway 403 will continue, but the hub agreement just builds on the concept.
"It's a tremendous opportunity for all of us."
Levac, an advocate of the hub from the beginning, said he is proud that the area's communities have taken an important step.
"As I've said over and over again, when we play in the sandbox together, anything is possible."
Also in attendance were Brantford Mayor Mike Hancock, Norfolk Mayor Dennis Travale and Brant MP Phil McColeman.
The hub is envisaged to become a regional centre of excellence, whose focus is to act as the development organization attracting foreign direct investment to the members' communities.
It is to be accomplished through promotion by marketing and sales efforts to the international community, and selectively to the North American business community.
It also will support the development of homegrown businesses in green energy.