Ontarians suffer through hydro crisis while Wynne Liberals line their pockets

QUEEN’S PARK – While Ontario ratepayers are stuck overpaying $9.2 billion for renewable energy contracts, the Ontario Liberal Party raked in $1.3 million in donations from renewable energy companies that received contracts

“Ontario electricity prices are skyrocketing because this Liberal Government insisted on signing energy contracts for power we don’t need,” said Leader of the Official Opposition Patrick Brown. “The fact that Liberal party coffers and fundraisers benefitted, and hard-working Ontarians were left to pay the costs, is unacceptable.”

In the latest round of renewable procurements seven companies were awarded contracts from the Ministry of Energy. Over the last few years, those seven renewable energy companies donated more than $250,000 to the Ontario Liberal Party. These contracts were awarded despite the Auditor General previously confirming that the province was overproducing electricity and selling it at a loss to neighbouring jurisdictions.

Coincidentally, now that the province is moving forward with a ban on corporate donations, the Wynne Liberals have pledged to stop signing future renewable contracts.

“The Wynne Liberals created this energy crisis by putting their political interests above the best interests of the province. I hope the Wynne Liberals sleep well knowing their party’s bank accounts are full, while parents can’t afford to feed their children because of out of control hydro bills,” added Brown. “It’s time for the Wynne Liberals to put their political interests aside and start offering the people of Ontario real solutions, not band-aids and cups of coffee.”