Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott grilled the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure in the Ontario legislature last week about Hydro One offers for land along the Bruce to Milton hydro corridor.
The new 180-kilometre, double-circuit, 500-kilovolt transmission line is causing “grave concern” in his riding, Arnott told Minister George Smitherman.
“Many people whose homes are along the proposed corridor are not being treated fairly when it comes to compensation discussions,” Arnott said. “Some would say their lives have been put on hold; others would say their lives have been destroyed.”
He continued, “My question to the minister is very simple: Will the minister meet with my constituents, here today, right after question period, hear their stories, and instruct Hydro One to restart fair negotiations on their compensation?”
Smitherman replied, “No, I will not take such a meeting. I’ve told the honourable member that on countless occasions over the last few weeks.
“The process that Hydro One has initiated is a process that’s ongoing, and the issues of evaluation associated with the land have been established, in part, through a working group of the very owners themselves.
“We’re at the point where Hydro One is making voluntary offers of settlement. The EA process is ongoing, and the process should be allowed to continue, notwithstanding that the honourable member has drawn the judgment that his constituents are not being treated fairly.
Smitherman concluded, “I don’t know on what professional basis he has the capacity to make such an evaluation.”
But Arnott did not drop the issue.
“Just now, we saw the face of government arrogance and contempt for the people at its worst, and it wasn’t a pleasant sight,” Arnott said.
“In my 19 years here, it’s been routine for ministers to meet concerned constituents after question period. With Bill 150, the minister is seeking extraordinary new powers over Ontario’s electricity system.
“How can he now say that he has no authority to help my constituents and others along the proposed line, Bruce to Milton? They are not getting a fair deal. Why is this minister sidestepping his responsibility? Why is he allowing Hydro One to zap my constituents?”
Smitherman, replied, that he is not opposed to meeting the residents.
“I’d be very happy to take a variety of meetings that the honourable member might suggest; I just think the one that he’s suggesting at this time is highly inappropriate,” said Smitherman.
“Accordingly, no, I will not be available to meet with his constituents, but I do continue to encourage all parties, including Hydro One, to work through the process that has been established, that is transparent and that has valuation of land based on a process that involves the very affected landowners themselves.”
