Bruce Grey Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker plans to tell the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) in Owen Sound Wednesday evening to reject an application for a rate hike at Hydro One in the name of fairness and affordability.
Walker says people are beyond frustrated with skyrocketing electricity costs, and Hydro One should not raise rates while, at the same time, giving their CEO a nearly $4-million raise. He says some constituents are struggling to put food on the table, and businesses can hardly stay afloat.
He explains Hydro One wants OEB approval to hike distribution rates, adding another $141 to the average family's annual bill.
Walker said he was stunned and disappointed the Liberal government refused to stand up for ratepayers who have already overpaid their hydro bills by $37-billion.
“This hydro rate increase, which begins January 1, 2018, is extremely unfair and unaffordable,” said party PC Leader Patrick Brown wrote in his letter to Premier Kathleen Wynne. “I am urging you to immediately reject this application, and all subsequent applications, until executive compensation is reined in at Hydro One and the government has stopped signing expensive, new, unneeded power contracts.”
Since the Liberals announced their so-called Fair Hydro scheme that promises to cut electricity rates by 25%, Ontario’s financial accountability officer confirmed that electricity rates will actually climb under the Liberals’ plan in the long term.
