Ontario families and businesses will see another increase to hydro rates, effective May 1 – more bad News for an already fragile economy, according to Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece.
For a typical household, the rate increase will mean an extra $48 to $72 per year for hydro.
In a statement in the Ontario legislature, Pettapiece spoke out against the government’s energy policies contributing to the rising cost of hydro.
“Effective today, Ontario households and businesses will be zapped with another hydro rate increase. By the end of next year, Ontario household power rates will be the highest in North America, except for Prince Edward Island,” he said.
“Ontario rates will continue skyward, even as they level off elsewhere. Businesses and industry will be hit by nearly $12 billion in added costs. That means more lost jobs.
“And while a select few energy corporations feast on this government’s seemingly endless supply of subsidies, everyone else is left to pay the bill. And they will pay. All of us will pay.”
Pettapiece continued, “For my constituents in Stratford, today represents a double-whammy.
“They’ll be hit not only by the rate hike, but also by this government’s mandatory, so-called smart meters. Smart meters should be optional, not mandatory.”
Pettapiece said he has consulted with his constituents and, “Many of my constituents sent a clear message. They responded with their views that reducing energy costs should be the government’s number-one priority. But the McGuinty government’s priority is just the opposite. Their priority is to make energy even more expensive.”
Pettapiece said Liberal policies “are causing hardship, unemployment, debt, and decline.
“In Perth-Wellington and across the province, that will be the legacy of this government. It’s time we returned reliable, affordable energy to its rightful place.
“It’s time we made it, once again, a cornerstone of economic growth.”
