1912 Long Point Band forced to move because of hydro-electric project 1936 Some band members forced off their traplines again by another hydro-project at Rapid-7.
1938 Lt.-Governor decides to encourage mining growth in the region. He allows construction of dams to harness the Winneway River. Power would be used by mining interests. The company Belleterre Quebec Mines is leased the dams, powerhouses and a 44-KV transmission line to the nearby town of Belleterre. The leases run out in 1978 at which time the Quebec government becomes owner of the lands and dams except the equipment (i.e. turbines, alternators).
1942 Belleterre, the town, is founded. Construction starts on a second set of turbines and several small dams.
1947 The law is modified so the town of Belleterre can be supplied with electricity from the dam.
1959 Belleterre Quebec Mines shuts down operations.
1960 Band moves again to its present location at Winneway.
1963 Lorraine Mining Co. takes over the mining sites of Belleterre Quebec Mines.
1969 Belleterre Quebec Mines ceases operation of the dams.
1974 The town of Belleterre buys the leases to the dams for $1.
1978 The leases are up and the Quebec government becomes owner of the Winneway Hydro-electric Complex.
1986 A Hydro-Quebec team studies the complex and says a few modifications have to be made but that the powerhouse is in good condition.
1987 The town of Belleterre sells its electricity distribution network to Hydro-Quebec.
1989 Hydro-Quebec passes on the chance to buy the Winneway Complex saying the costs to renovate weren’t worth it given the small capacity (2.4 megawatts). Hydro-Quebec links up Belleterre to its existing electrical network. The Winneway dams aren’t supplying the town of Belleterre anymore. Belleterre is trying to find a buyer.
1990, June A private promoter, Innocan, comes forward with a $ 1,000,000 offer for the complex.
July The Winneway Long Point Band passes a resolution saying they wish to purchase the dam complex. They send a letter of interest to the town of Belleterre, who respond that they are under contract with Innocan and cannot consider other offers at this time.
August Innocan withdraws its offer.
September Winneway Long Point Band sends a letter to the Ministry of Energy Lise Bacon contesting the sale to outside investors without considering local investors first. The ministry responds that the town of Belleterre has the legal right to sell to whom they please. The government at this point is the real owner of the complex but not of the turbines and alternators.
1991, Jan.-March Innocan and the Winneway Long Point Band meet to consider a joint venture on the complex. In a speech in February, Energy Minister Lise Bacon says if more than one promoter is interested in the dam, priority will be given to “environmental protection and regional participation in the project.” March-April The Quebec government transfers the lands, dams and other portions of the Winneway complex to the town of Belleterre.
May Innocan and Winneway Long Point Band propose a joint venture.
July Hydro-Quebec puts 13 small hydroprojects up for sale. Innocan starts thinking about buying some of these dams instead.
August Innocan closes all offers to purchase the Winneway site. The Winneway Long Point Band meets with the town of Belleterre to look at the possibility of a joint venture. They also send a letter of intent to purchase the system for $500,000. Belleterre decides to sell by way of public tender.
September The Winneway Long Point Band completes a feasibility study proposing a total planned investment of $3,150,000, including the $500,000 purchase price. They send a letter to the town: $50,000 cash with the offer, $50,000 at the signing and $100,000 a year for four years.
October Belleterre counter-offers with $100,000 cash, $100,000 year at 12-per-cent interest and no guarantees or warranties. The parties meet to discuss the offer and counter-offer.
November The town of Belleterre sells the complex to Hydro-Pemik, owned by Peter Kuczer, for $515,000.
1992, Feb. Ducks Unlimited interested in supporting the Long Point Band’s effort to acquire the dam.
March Long Point Band tries in vain to get government assistance for their project and a response from Lise Bacon, who has not replied to any letters sent by the band. Hydro-Pemik offers to let Winneway Long Point Band have a 20-per-cent share for $570,000. Winneway Long Point Band says an internal rule is that all joint ventures must be on a 50-percent share basis.
Also in i 992 Hydro-Quebec agrees to a 20-year contract to buy power from the Winneway dam. The market value of the dam complex is now set at $3 million even though Hydro-Pemik got it for only $515,000.
1993 Hydro-Pemik owner Peter Kuczer donates $3,000 to the then-ruling Quebec Liberal Party, the maximum allowed under the law.
1994, Jan. Winneway dam overflows for the first time anyone can remember. The band believes the dam is being mismanaged. In May, dam overflows again day after Environment Quebec assures the band that the dam is safe.
1994, May Peter Kuczer arrested on money-laundering charges in the U.S. (he is cleared in September).
1995, April Kuczer’s company goes bankrupt. Barclays Bank assumes ownership of dam, negotiating with Cascades Energy to manage day-to-day operation of the dam.
