What does the waterpower industry contribute to Ontario?
The waterpower industry invests $250 million in Ontario each year to operate and maintain their equipment. In the past 10 years, more than $400 million has been invested in the province to bring new hydro-electricity on line. The industry directly employs more than 1,600 people and supports another 2,000 jobs. It also contributes more than $140 million in resource royalties to the Ontario government; making it the province’s largest single source of natural resource-based revenue. In addition to producing electricity, waterpower plants are managed to provide several ancillary benefits including preventing or controlling flooding as well as maintaining stable water levels for recreation. Waterpower plants help to maintain steady flows of water, which in turn, helps to control erosion and protect wildlife habitat.
