COTC works in collaboration with our hydro conservation partners: the First Nations, Mushkegowuk Council, Community Members, the Power Corporations and FNEI, Government and other Agencies:

Collaboration with the First Nations

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with each FN Housing Department for:

• Choosing homes for retrofit that meet COTC and Housing’s criteria
• Electrical and plumbing work if required
• Repair leaking roofs and wet foundations
• Purchase of new siding
• Other repairs / building supplies as required

COTC collaborates with the local Housing Departments to do major repairs on foundations and roofs prior to our work.

If a house fits the COTC criteria, but the foundation (or roof) needs major repair then discussions begin with the Housing Manager to collaborate effort and timing. Minor roof leaks or poor flashing detail is often repaired.

COTC collaborates with the Housing Department for extensive roof damage, and replacement of shingles.

COTC discusses with the Housing Managers about a contractor’s poor choice of materials or the wrong installation of a product, like poly on the outside of a crawlspace wall that can trap moisture and cause wood rot.

COTC discusses with the Housing Managers about Mushkegowuk Employment and Training Services (METS) for 2015 and 2016

Received METS funding for a separate 2017 HRV installation crew in Attawapiskat working on COTC retrofitted homes and AFN Housin.

Collaboration with Community Members

• COTC encourages “sweat equity” from community members
• Cleaning out crawlspaces
• Moving wood piles and other obstacles away from the exterior walls
• Providing siding, shingles, ceiling tile etc. if they are able
• COTC will work with community members renovating their home to match their schedule
• Families provide their own materials and we provide the labour

Collaboration Between the Power Corporations and FNEI

• Provide historical and post electricity usage for each retrofitted home for analysis and monitoring
• Formed a Working Group of the General Managers, Power Corporation Board members and FNEI CEO to run the program
• Responsible for local COTC staff payroll
• Local COTC staff follow their Power Corporation’s Personnel Policies and Procedures
• Sharing materials and resources as required
• Collaboration with other Agencies to work as hydro conservation partners
• Mennonite Central Committee provided 2 volunteer electricians to change lighting under the Small Business Lighting (SBL) program. Lighting retrofits could not be done without this contribution of time.
• Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care, with IESO funding, provided energy audits and energy management training for WAHA health facilities on the west James Bay coast

Collaboration with Government

IESO (Independent Electricity System Operator) and MoECC (Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change) staff visited in August 2016, heard first-hand of our challenges and have shared with their colleagues.

Addressing the Challenges with our Hydro Conservation Partners

• The First Nations’ financial constraints to supply materials and train staff
• COTC sometimes shared the cost of materials and shipping with the First Nations
• COTC invited Housing staff to our HRV training
• COTC share expertise with HRV balancing and maintenance with Housing staff

Government agencies do not understand the “remote factor” and the impact of muskeg on the durability of the structure and health of the occupants.

• Invited IESO and MoECC staff to see the challenges first hand resulting in a greater understanding
• Negotiated additional funds from IESO for HRVs to improve indoor air quality