From Ontario’s Opposition Conservative Party
Posted on Niagara At Large at www.niagaraatlarge.com
December 29th, 2015
Queen’s Park, Toronto – As a result of poor (Ontario) Liberal government policies, January 1st represents another unaffordable hydro increase for Ontarians.
“Starting on the first day of the new year, residents of Ontario will see their hydro bills on average increase by almost $100 dollars,” said PC Energy Critic John Yakabuski. “This further ingrains Ontario as one of the most expensive and uncompetitive energy jurisdictions in North America.”
On January 1st, the Wynne Liberal Government is terminating the Clean Energy Benefit. This represented a 10 per cent reduction on total electricity charges for residential consumers, small business and farms.
Moreover, the Government’s Ontario Electricity Support Program is now in effect, costing Ontarians 93 cents a month, or $11.16 a year.
“While the government will praise themselves today for eliminating the debt retirement charge for residential users, the cancellation of the Clean Energy Benefit – which will see the average hydro bill increase by over $100 a year – will eliminate any savings had from the repeal,” Yakabuski stated. “Coupled with the hydro rate increase that occurred on November 1st, 2015, average Ontario families will continue to struggle to pay their hydro bills.”
Over the past 12 years, the Liberal Government has created the conditions for unaffordable energy rates in Ontario. “The Wynne Liberal’s mismanagement of the electricity file has cost Ontarians billions of dollars,” continued Yakabuski. “The Auditor General confirmed we have already been overcharged $37 billion, and we will continue to be overcharged another $133 billion dollars over the next 17 years. The Liberals can’t get anything right when it comes to energy policy.”
“The cost of living is already too high for Ontario families,” added Leader of the Official Opposition Patrick Brown. “We should be looking for ways to help families get by and not make essential needs, like heating and electricity, more expensive.”
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