Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece said Mike Carter, owner of Milverton Foodtown, did all the right things. He installed energy-efficient lighting, and purchased new, efficient freezers and refrigerators. However, the MPP notes in a press release, Carter’s hydro bills are now up 30 percent and his delivery charge more than doubled.
Pettapeice stated the independent grocery store owner wants to know, “How do you even begin to justify something so stupid?”
Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece voiced that question today in the Ontario legislature on Nov. 24.
Pettapiece asked: “Having done all the right things—having invested tens of thousands of dollars to become more efficient – does the premier agree that Mike should expect a lower hydro bill?”
With energy minister Glen Thibeault not in the legislature, Premier Kathleen Wynne referred the question to economic development minister Brad Duguid.
The release from Pettapiece office states “The question went unanswered.”
However, video from the question period shows Duguid responded by referencing the government’s plan to remove the provincial portion of the harmonized sales tax from power bills.
“I am absolutely sure that the member (Pettapiece) would have shared with Mike, in regard to his business, that he’ll be, as of January first, getting an eight per cent cut in his hydro rate.”
When his statement drew jeers from the opposition benches, Duguid continued.
“They mock at that Mr. Speaker, as though six to eight hundred dollars a year isn’t much to a small business. Six to eight hundred dollars a year – if it’s about four thousand dollars that his costs are, that sounds about right for the kind of business that he’s running – that’s six to eight hundred dollars that will be going back in Mike’s pocket because of the very important decisions that this government has made, decisions that you obviously don’t’ support, so maybe … the member should explain to Mike why he doesn’t think Mike’s entitled to that six to eight hundred dollars that our discount is going to provide him.”
“Instead of admitting the problem, the minister’s response was more Liberal spin,” Pettapiece said. “It was arrogant, out-of-touch, and completely dismissed my constituent’s concerns.”
