CORNWALL, Ontario – Local MPP Jim McDonell believes the skyrocketing costs of electricity in Ontario is compromising the province’s ability to do business.
McDonell attacked the governing Liberals and suggested many Hydro One customers in the province are living in a perpetual state of anxiety.
“Many residents fear opening their hydro bills, if they get them at all, because they know that their efforts to save on electricity do not matter when more than half of a bill is administrative charges and the Global Adjustment,” he said. “Under Premier Wynne’s watch hydro rates have skyrocketed, forcing many Ontarians, including Ontarians living on fixed incomes to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table.
“The Liberals’ mismanagement of the energy portfolio has driven up hydro bills and created a new, terrifying reality in our once prosperous and competitive province: electricity poverty.”
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on the front lawn at Queen’s Park last week under the banner “Hydro: Enough is Enough,” with many members of the PC Caucus in attendance.
“People took the time to come to Toronto and make their voices heard because they know Ontario can do better,” said McDonell. “Our province has abundant water power and our nuclear expertise is second to none. We have the means to produce cheap and plentiful energy that would attract employers.
“Instead, the Liberals believe they know better than the thousands of individuals, businesses and charities that are struggling to pay their bills, and continue leading the Province down the path that has caused peak hydro rates to rise by 15 per cent on May 1st alone. Enough is enough; when will the Liberals realize it?”
Speaking at the Ontario Power Summit later, McDonell highlighted that ratepayer assistance programs are not properly funded and aren’t a solution.
“In the last year for which data is publicly available, local utilities ran out of Low-Income Energy Assistance Program money in April,” he said.
