Port Hope council approves remediation work at file factory, costs to be added to owner’s tax bill

Cause for two blazes ‘undetermined’ by fire; police probe continues

Port Hope Town Hall clock. /Sarah Hyatt

By editor/reporter Sarah Hyatt

Cleanup efforts are continuing at 121 Cavan St. – the site more commonly known as the former file factory property – and the Municipality of Port Hope expects the property owner to pay for costs associated with remediation being undertaken at the municipal level, say officials.

During Port Hope council’s summer meeting, Mayor Olena Hankivksy shared this message as part of her rise-and-report after an in-camera session of council.

There have been two “undetermined” fires at the former file factory property since 2024 – and over the years, cleanup and demolition troubles, municipal reports of non-compliance issues with a property-related order and structural integrity concerns (including before the fires), prompting an emergency order at one point, road closures, et cetera.

Last week, meeting attendees heard council had met in-closed session and received a confidential staff report relating to proposed litigation or potential litigation – which under the Municipal Act includes matters before administrative tribunals or matters affecting the municipality or local boards – that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose.

However, the property was openly identified, as well as directives following the closed session.

“This is regarding the property located at 121 Cavan St.,” said Hankivksy, in open session, before reading aloud council’s motion from closed session and its directives.

In addition to council receiving the confidential report for information, council’s motion also authorized staff to proceed with remediation works at 121 Cavan St. “immediately following the expiry of the order to remedy, in accordance with the municipality’s procurement policy and property standards bylaw.”

Staff were further directed to communicate publicly with respect to the remediation of the property “upon completion of the procurement process.”

Further, staff were directed to provide an update on any remediation details that have been finalized, as well as an update on fire-related investigations at Port Hope’s coming Aug. 11 council meeting.

Finally, the motion states that in line with municipal bylaws and policies, any costs associated with remediation of the property be added to the property owner’s tax bill.

The most recent fire at the vacant building was during the early-morning hours on June 16 of this year, while the second blaze that initially ravaged the aging structure was in July 2024.

In the case of both fires, there has been no cause identified for either through two investigations

by Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services.

In relation to the file factory, the process to have the property cleaned up is underway through the bylaw division, and as for the fire investigation, the fire is being classified as undetermined at this time, Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services Director and Chief Jason Williams told the Independent, in response to inquiries around the June 2026 fire investigation.

“This is due to the inability to isolate the area of fire origin, due to the vast amount of fire spread and the requirement to utilize heavy equipment to support fire suppression,” explained Williams.

Similarly, Williams confirmed no cause was ever determined for the 2024 fire.

However, at press deadline, the Port Hope Police Service confirmed its investigation is still underway, but a spokesperson told the Independent there were no new updates to share at that time.