Saugeen Shores dedicates new street to former Bruce Power President and CEO

On Wednesday, July 3rd (2024), the Town of Saugeen Shores dedicated a street in Port Elgin to Duncan Hawthorne, former Bruce Power President and CEO (2001-2016), to honour his many contributions in shaping the development of the region and Saugeen Shores and his philanthropy to the many areas of the community.

For larger view, Click on Image

(L-R) Brad Pryde, Tim Blevins, Duncan’s daughter Nicola Burnett, grandchild Blake, wife Lesley Hawthorne, grandchild Hannah, Duncan Hawthorne, Mayor Luke Charbonneau, CAO Kara Van Myall, and Larry Dunn – for larger view, click. on image
Official ribbon cutting
(L) Duncan Hawthorne and Mayor Luke Charbonneau

“Under the leadership of Duncan Hawthorne, Bruce Power began its journey to becoming the world-leading nuclear facility we know today, all while profoundly supporting the growth and development of our region,” said Mayor Charbonneau. “Saugeen Shores is proud to name one of the municipality’s streets in honour of this man who has given, and continues to give, so much to our community.”

 

 

“Duncan and his wife Lesley remain consistent supporters of health care in Saugeen Shores,” Mayor Charbonneau pointed out, “with a personal donation of $20,000 in 2022 for the CT Scanner at Saugeen Memorial Hospital and he was also a regular at the Jeff Preston Celebrity Golf Tournament in Saugeen Shores helping to raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy Research.”

The Mayor went on to say that, “In 1999, things looked pretty dire in Saugeen Shores and, then under his leadership, Duncan reached an agreement with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to advance a long-term investment program for Bruce Power, seeing to the start of the refurbishment of its nuclear fleet and, finally, securing the site’s operation until 2064. This agreement has led to the addition of tens of thousands of jobs and injecting billions into Ontario’s economy.”

By the end of his tenure in 2016, Bruce Power achieved record output for the site, providing over 30 per cent of Ontario’s electricity.

“Without Duncan and Bruce Power, we would not be standing here today on this street in this new development,” said the Mayor, “in what is the fastest growing community in the region and Ontario.  This is just a way of saying thank for all that he has done for the community and to thank him for his legacy.”

John Peevers (2nd L) talks with Lesley Hawthorne (L), Duncan (C) 

John Peevers, Bruce Power Director Community Relations, said that, “To be here and honour Duncan is totally appropriate.  The site shut-down was slated for 2018 and we are now looking at a future out to 2064.  He set the stage for Bruce Power and we are where we are today and this community would not be here but for him.”

 

(L) Duncan Hawthorne & developer Brad Pryde

 

Land developer Brad Pryde said that everyone thinks that naming a street is not all that difficult but “it really is to make you sure you do it right”.

Pryde searched through the historical records of Port Elgin before arriving at the name of Duncan Hawthorne.  “When we looked at those who had made a significant impact on the community, it was simple and today’s name came up quickly – Duncan Hawthorne.”

 

Hawthorne said that he was humbled by the dedication but also explained that, when he came to the region, he said that he was “in the people business.  Of course, investing and raising capital is important but it’s the people who show up every day … it’s all about partnership.”

“We are Canadians,” he said referring to he and his wife, Lesley.  “Although we live in Scotland, we are always going to be Canadians and, so, we will always be from this area and we have always tried to support this community. I am so pleased by this naming.”

The Hawthorne family – (L) wife Lesley Hawthorne, granddaughter Hannah, daughter Nicola & grandson Bruce                                                    Burnett, Duncan Hawthorne and Mayor Luke Charbonneau