The Municipality of Port Hope and Ontario Power Generation have signed a partnership agreement to guide how both sides will work together during the early planning and federal review stages of possible new nuclear generation at the Wesleyville Generating Station site.
According to the province, the proposed development could support about 10,500 jobs across Ontario, including roughly 1,700 positions locally, and contribute an estimated $235 billion to provincial GDP over the project’s lifespan.
The agreement sets out how the municipality and OPG will collaborate through the federal impact assessment process, share technical information and coordinate community engagement. OPG filed its initial project description with the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada in January.
Mayor Olena Hankivsky says the arrangement is intended to help the municipality prepare for growth while ensuring residents are informed and involved as planning continues. She says strengthening partnerships now allows the community to be ready for opportunities that may emerge if the project proceeds.
Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini says moving the project forward could create jobs for local workers and businesses while helping secure long term electricity supply.
To support municipal participation, OPG has committed additional growth readiness funding, including $4 million for the impact assessment workload and a further $500,000 for staffing tied to project related responsibilities.
Any future construction would still require multiple approvals, environmental review and ongoing consultation with Indigenous communities and the public.
OPG has also opened a discovery centre on Toronto Road where residents can learn more about nuclear energy and the Wesleyville proposal.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)