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100 Years of Powering Ontario

Hydro One is a relatively new company, but we have a long history in the electricity services industry. In fact, our company's history dates back 100 years to 1906 when the Ontario Legislature passed the Power Commission Act establishing the then Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario (HEPC).

June 7, 2006 marks the 100th anniversary of the electrification of Ontario, a century after Sir Adam Beck was named "Power Minister" and Chairman of the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario, the world's first publicly-owned utility. On October 11, 1910, Beck held the first ceremonial "switch-on" [see photo, right] which took place in Berlin (now Kitchener) with the lighting of an electric sign that read "For the People" — and the crowd went wild.

Download our commemorative presentations below (Adobe Acrobat format), featuring remarkable historical photographs from the Hydro One archives:

• The Early Years (PDF - 4.7 MB)
• Mid-Century (PDF - 6.1 MB)
• 1990's - Today (PDF - 1.5 MB)

Tell Us Your Story

If you, a relative, or someone you know has a great story to tell about the early days of Hydro, please use our online form to send us your story. With your permission, we'll edit and reprint your story here on our website.