The Ontario Waterpower Association (OWA) celebrated the inaugural Waterpower Day in the Province of Ontario on June 20th, 2019.

Toby Barrett, parliamentary assistant to the minister of natural resources and forestry, joined the OWA to celebrate the day and toured Ontario Power Generation’s Sir Adam Beck Generating Stations in Niagara Falls.

“Our government recognizes the tremendous value of a strong waterpower sector and the benefits it brings to Ontario’s communities,” said Toby Barrett, parliamentary assistant to the minister of natural resources and forestry. “I am pleased to join today’s celebration of an industry that has played a critical role in Ontario’s economic development. We are committed to cutting red tape and making it easier for the waterpower industry to do business, create jobs, and improve our quality of life.”

Ontario has more than a century of history in community waterpower development and ownership. June 20th was selected for Waterpower Day in recognition of Sir Adam Beck (born June 20, 1857), a Canadian politician and waterpower advocate who founded the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario and promoted “Power at Cost”.

“I am pleased and proud to recognize June 20th, 2019 as Ontario’s inaugural Waterpower Day,” said Paul Norris, president of the Ontario Waterpower Association. “As our original source of electricity, waterpower is embedded in the very fabric of communities and industries across this great province.”

“Waterpower is a timeless, renewable resource that has fueled Ontario’s economic growth since the beginning of the 20th century and also accounts for more than one third of OPG’s electricity production,” said Mike Martelli, president of Renewable Generation for OPG. “That’s why it’s important to take the opportunity every year to recognize the important role that this clean source of electricity plays in our daily lives.”

Waterpower is embedded in dozens of villages, towns, Indigenous communities, and cities across Ontario. Learn more about Waterpower Day and becoming a Waterpower Champion.

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