Ontario Hydro

The Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario, chaired first by Adam Beck, bought and transmitted Niagara power for municipalities at cost, then built its own hydraulic, coal and nuclear stations. The 1938 report describes supply through municipal systems, rural power districts, and Northern Ontario Properties held for the province. It became the Crown corporation Ontario Hydro in 1974.

It was the first provincially owned electric utility in Canada and underwrote industrial load in Ontario.

Why it mattered

HEPCO was the first provincially owned electric utility in Canada. It underwrote industrial load in Ontario and, by the late 20th century, ran a province-wide generation and transmission system including nuclear stations.

Now

Ontario Hydro ceased on 31 March 1999. Generation went to Ontario Power Generation, wires to what became Hydro One, the market to the IESO, plus the Electrical Safety Authority and a corporation that took leftover debt. The successors still exist. Hydro One later issued public shares.

Changed hands (1999) · Now: Ontario Power Generation; Hydro One; Independent Electricity System Operator; Electrical Safety Authority; Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation