Ontario Power Generation (OPG), based in Oshawa, continues to dominate Ontario Sunshine List of top-paid public sector employees. Following the company’s relocation of its headquarters to the former General Motors Canada head office building on Colonel Sam Drive in Oshawa last year, the region now proudly boasts that five of the highest-paid public sector employees in the province work right in Durham Region.
In the 2025 Sunshine List, which was released on March 27, 2026, OPG takes the top spots, with former CEO Ken Hartwick leading the way. Hartwick, who now serves as a special advisor to OPG, topped the list with an impressive salary of $1,907,409. This salary makes him the highest-paid non-private sector employee in Ontario. His role at the helm of OPG and his continued influence at the company have earned him a well-deserved place at the top of the Sunshine List for the second year in a row.
Nicolle Butcher, the current CEO of OPG, secured the second spot on the list with a salary just shy of $1.6 million. Butcher, who took over as CEO after Hartwick, has played a crucial role in continuing OPG’s leadership in Ontario’s energy sector. Following her are Steve Grigoris, OPG’s Chief Nuclear Officer, with a salary of $1,092,855, and Aida Cipolla, OPG’s CAO, earning $1,013,496. Subo Sinnathamby, OPG’s Chief Projects Officer, rounds out the top five with a salary of $981,476.
Additionally, Mark Knutson, OPG’s Chief Nuclear Engineer, is listed at #8 with a salary of $856,947, and Jon Franke, OPG’s Senior Vice-President of Nuclear, earned $826,655, placing him #9 on the list. Both individuals contribute significantly to OPG’s operations, with their expertise helping to drive the company’s success in the province’s energy sector.
The Sunshine List, which includes public sector employees earning more than $100,000 annually, also highlights other leaders in the healthcare sector, such as Kevin Smith, CEO of University Health Network, and Ronald Cohn, CEO of the Hospital for Sick Kids, who were placed in the top ten.
In terms of elected officials in Durham Region, Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy leads the pack with a salary of $210,673, while Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster and Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier also made more than $200,000 each.
The OPG’s continued success and dominance in the Sunshine List reflect its significant role in the Ontario energy sector and the leadership positions held by executives within the company. With Oshawa now serving as the corporate headquarters for OPG, the city’s influence in the industry continues to grow, adding to Durham Region’s economic significance.
