Makwa-Cahill and Bruce Power celebrate grand opening of fabrication facility

Makwa-Cahill, an Indigenous-owned venture focused on fabrication for the energy sector, held a grand opening of its facility in Owen Sound, Ont.

Makwa Development Corp., which is owned by Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation residents Scott Lee and Shane Chegano, has joined forces with Cahill Constructors Ltd., one of the largest multi-disciplinary construction and fabrication companies in Canada, to create Makwa-Cahill.

“The new fabrication facility will deliver services to Bruce Power and other industry suppliers, while providing on-the-job training and development opportunities for skilled tradespeople,” said Lee, President of Makwa Developments. “The facility will have a strong focus on training and development to meet the needs of Ontario’s nuclear industry.”

“A shared sense of community is one of the key things that bring us together,” said Fred Cahill, President of the Cahill Group. “Cahill operates across Canada and we are now very proud to ‘come together’ with Makwa to begin a new chapter in Ontario. The Bruce Power and Makwa-Cahill teams are fully aligned in our goal to build a sustainable local business and create meaningful employment opportunities.”

Hon. Todd Smith, Ontario’s Minister of Energy, toured the new fabrication facility and offered his support for the partnership and the benefits it will generate.

“Congratulations to Makwa-Cahill on the opening of its new fabrication facility, which will be a great asset for Bruce Power and Ontario’s energy sector,” said Minister Smith. “This partnership will provide long-term benefits to Indigenous families and communities, connecting people to training for skilled trades and great employment opportunities.”

Hon. Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, also congratulated Makwa-Cahill on its grand opening.

“Our government is committed to supporting meaningful economic development for Indigenous communities throughout Ontario,” said Minister Rickford. “Makwa-

Cahill’s grand opening in Owen Sound represents the start of significant employment, training, and skill development opportunities for local Indigenous peoples.”

“We are so proud of all of our accomplishments as a community,” said Chief Veronica Smith, Chippewas of the Nawash Unceded First Nation. “This includes celebrating the people and businesses who are making positive contributions, creating jobs, wealth and opportunity for our people. We can all be proud of Makwa-Cahill and know this is an example others in our community will follow.”

“Bruce Power, along with a constellation of support businesses, is the driving economic force in our region and increasingly so in our community,” said Chief Lester Anoquot, Saugeen First Nation. “Partnerships like Makwa-Cahill are helping to bring an Indigenous perspective to the nuclear sector, fostering positive change and economic reconciliation.”

The 26,000 square foot fabrication facility is now fully operational with plans and capacity to employ more than 50 workers per shift. The Owen Sound facility will be the head office for all Makwa-Cahill operations, supporting construction, maintenance and fabrication scopes across Ontario.

“With the opening of our facility, we look forward to meeting the needs of Ontario’s vibrant nuclear sector, while providing training and meaningful employment advancements for Indigenous communities and local residents,” said Mike Benham, President of Makwa-Cahill.

The partnership between Makwa-Cahill and Bruce Power aligns with the company’s $3 billion ‘Made in Ontario’ economic recovery strategy, while also supporting wealth creation opportunities within local Indigenous communities.

“The Bruce Power Life-Extension Program is continuing to power an economic recovery in Ontario,” said Mike Rencheck, President and CEO, Bruce Power. “The Makwa-Cahill joint venture will provide community members with excellent jobs and training and gives Bruce Power access to the skill-sets we need to continue supplying the reliable, clean electricity that Ontario and Canada need to affordably reach net zero. I would like to congratulate Makwa-Cahill on the opening of their fabrication facility and look forward to working together.”

Learn more about Makwa-Cahill at makwacahill.ca.

About Bruce Power
Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County, Ontario. We are powered by our people. Our 4,200 employees are the foundation of our accomplishments and are proud of the role they play in safely delivering clean, reliable, low-cost nuclear power to families and businesses across the province and life-saving medical isotopes across the globe. Bruce Power has worked hard to build strong roots in Ontario and is committed to protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which we live. Learn more at www.brucepower.com and follow us on FacebookTwitterLinkedInInstagram and YouTube.