TORONTO – First Nations in Ontario will get the chance to buy shares in Hydro One, a public utility the Liberal government has partially privatized.
The government says it has reached an agreement in principle with the province’s First Nations to loan them up to $268 million to buy up to 15 million shares at $18 per share.
That is above the province’s book value, but below the $24-to-$26 range the stock has been trading in recent months.
READ MORE: Hydro One profit, revenue plunge in first quarter
For the deal to go through, at least 80 per cent of the band councils will have to approve the agreement by the end of next year.
If ratified, Ontario would sell the shares to a new investment vehicle owned collectively by First Nations and provide seed capital of up to $45 million over three years.
READ MORE: Ontario raises $1.7B after secondary offering of Hydro One shares closes
Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault says in a statement that this would give economic development opportunities to First Nations across the province.
Thirty per cent of the utility’s shares have already been sold, and if 15 million shares are sold to the First Nations, it would represent another 2.5 per cent.
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