Clarington “deeply disappointed” by OPG decision to build new HQ in Oshawa instead of Courtice

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Published February 13, 2023 at 3:47 pm

Darlington Nuclear Station. The Clarington Energy Park is on the west side of the nuclear station property.

Ontario Power Generation’s decision to move their corporate head office to the former General Motors headquarters in Oshawa instead of Courtice has not gone over well in Clarington, with Mayor Adrian Foster saying the municipality is “discouraged” not to get a heads up on the decision from OPG.

“We are deeply disappointed in the decision to rescind the commitment to build a new corporate headquarters for Ontario Power Generation in Clarington,” Foster said in a statement. “Clarington Council and the local business community have worked for decades to support OPG and the nuclear industry. I cannot begin to convey how discouraged we are with the lack of local engagement in this decision.”

OPG had previously announced plans to construct its new headquarters in the Clarington Energy Park, adjacent to its Darlington Energy Complex. But the company said in a statement they “revisited” the plan when an “economical, sustainable option” of repurposing an existing building became available.

OPG has entered into an Agreement of Purchase and Sale for the GM Canada building and surrounding lands on McLaughlin Bay in Oshawa, with the property abutting the Clarington border. The building will serve as the company’s new corporate headquarters.

“I understand the business case in the reversal to build headquarters in Clarington, but

it’s shocking that neither OPG nor the Government of Ontario recognized the

ramifications that our community faces,” Foster added. “We hope to be able to work with OPG, the industry and the Province of Ontario to rebuild trust and create a plan to help limit the negative impact that our community will suffer.”

Clarington has identified the Courtice Waterfront as a priority in its 2018-2022 Strategic Plan, with the Clarington Energy Park as its centrepiece, and approved funding for their Waterfront Design Plan last year. During 2022 budget deliberations Council approved an extra $120,000 in funding to “accelerate” the project.

It is unclear how the OPG HQ going to Oshawa affects the waterfront plan.

OPG has entered into an Agreement of Purchase and Sale for the GM Canada building and surrounding lands on McLaughlin Bay in Oshawa, with the property abutting the Clarington border. The building will serve as the company’s new corporate headquarters.

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