August 20, 2026
Provincial funding will support year-round maintenance to keep drivers safe and help Indigenous-owned company grow
BRITT — The Ontario government is investing $1.32 million through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to help Shwe Miikaan Limited Partnership buy equipment needed to provide various maintenance services on Highways 69, 522, 529 and 529A. This funding is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by helping a business strengthen its operations, creating new job opportunities and enhancing highway safety in the North.
“Our government is setting northern businesses up for long-term success and partnering with Indigenous communities to advance important work,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “This investment will not only enable Shwe Miikaan Limited Partnership to help keep northern highways safe throughout the year, it will also allow the company to take on new projects that will boost economic development in First Nations communities.”
Shwe Miikaan Limited Partnership is a highway construction and maintenance company that is owned by Shawanaga First Nation, Magnetawan First Nation and Henvey Inlet First Nation. With the NOHFC’s support, the company will buy plow trucks, a front-end loader for snow removal, a water truck, spreaders, portable variable message signs, an asphalt hot box and a steamer. In addition to the funding supporting the Britt Patrol Yard area maintenance contract, it will also result in new jobs and training opportunities and enable the company to accept bigger projects, promoting long-term growth.
“The NOHFC’s support has helped Shwe Miikaan acquire the equipment and build the operational capacity needed to deliver the Britt area maintenance contract,” said Chief Wayne McQuabbie of Henvey Inlet First Nation, Chief Lloyd Noganosh of Magnetawan First Nation and
Chief Adam Pawis of Shawanaga First Nation. “This investment will create meaningful employment and training opportunities while strengthening the ability of our First Nation partnership to deliver critical infrastructure services throughout the region.”
The Ontario government is prioritizing investments through the NOHFC that protect northern industries and jobs, mitigate the impacts of U.S. tariffs and trade disruptions and secure new opportunities for the long-term prosperity of northern Ontario. The renewed focus is boosting competitiveness and ensuring the North remains a leader in Ontario’s economy. This new direction is in addition to the province’s investment of an additional $30 million over three years, bringing the NOHFC’s annual budget to a total of $110 million. Together, these initiatives will benefit communities of all sizes, both rural and urban, including Indigenous communities.
Quick Facts
- Shwe Miikaan Limited Partnership was founded to ensure Shawanaga First Nation, Magnetawan First Nation and Henvey Inlet First Nation benefit from the four-laning of Highway 69, which passes through the communities’ reserve lands and traditional territories.
- Shwe Miikaan Limited Partnership has worked on many infrastructure projects with Miller Paving Limited and in 2025, Ontario awarded Shwe Miikaan Miller 2020 Limited Partnership the Britt Patrol Yard area maintenance contract.
- The Britt Patrol Yard area maintenance contract is set to run from September 2026 to August 2033. Maintenance activities in the contract include snow removal, salting, culvert replacements, ditch and shoulder maintenance and asphalt repairs.
- Through its funding programs, the NOHFC offers support to public and private sector economic development projects across northern Ontario.
- Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $1 billion in over 8,600 projects in northern Ontario, leveraging more than $3.3 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 13,400 jobs.
Quotes
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is making critical investments to maintain highways, roads and bridges across the province, ensuring Ontarians have a safe, reliable way to get where they’re going each day as we continue our work to build a stronger, more resilient and self-reliant economy. Today’s funding announcement will give Shwe Miikaan Limited Partnership the resources it needs to keep roads safe and clear while generating good-paying jobs in the community and driving economic growth for years to come.”
– Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation
“Indigenous owned and operated businesses continue to lead economic development across northern Ontario, supporting employment, training and business surges. Through the NOHFC, we are proud to support increased capacity for Shwe Miikaan Limited Partnership, ensuring that Shawanaga, Magnetawan and Henvey Inlet First Nations remain true partners in major infrastructure projects.”
– Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships
“Our government is committed to meaningful investments in northern Ontario that strengthen local economies, build capacity and create opportunity. I am proud to see this partnership delivering good jobs, valuable experience and lasting economic benefits right here in our region.”
– Graydon Smith, MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka
Additional Resources
- The NOHFC, Northern Development Offices and Small Business Enterprise Centres support northern communities, businesses and other stakeholders in identifying economic development opportunities and government funding programs.
Media ContactSam McCormick Media Relations |
news.ontario.ca/mnedg/en Disponible en français |
