Ontario Power Generation Site

Submitted by: Darryl Russell

Hike reference: 6.4 km Wesleyville area

OPG began buying or expropriating more than 1,200 acres of land in Wesleyville in the late 1960s and 70s to build a massive one-billion-dollar, oil-fired generating station. But the OPEC oil embargo of 1973 and ensuing recession spelled doom for the station and construction halted in 1978, leaving the chimney and most of the buildings near completion.

At 682 feet, the Wesleyville smoke stack is the fourth-tallest chimney in Canada.

In 2019, the Wildlife Habitat Council acknowledged the OPG for its biodiversity efforts at the Wesleyville site, awarding it a “Gold” classification. Two aspects were particularly noted –  the Osprey platforms program and an extensive Wesleyville Creek clean up, which allowed the native brook trout population to return for spawning.

Port Hope negotiated with the OPG for two years and had an agreement to make use of about 600 acres of the property (which sits beside another 700 acres which is an environmentally protected area). Port Hope had plans to use the land for affordable housing, long-term care facilities, recreational areas, etc. That agreement was cancelled in April, 2022.

In 2025, Port Hope and the Williams Treaties First Nations agreed to work with the Province of Ontario to explore opportunities to build a nuclear power plant on the site, and, in 2026, the parties came to an agreement to advance the world’s largest nuclear generating station.  

During the War of 1812, the Lakeshore Rd was the only road from Toronto to Kingston. The Walton family which settled in the area saw the red coats marching by.