WYNNE LEAVES NORTH IN THE DARK LONGER, MORE OFTEN

QUEEN’S PARK – Today, Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli blasted the Wynne Government for the devastating impact of skyrocketing hydro prices and their deeply flawed energy decisions are having on Northern Ontario.

Fedeli keyed in on findings from yesterday’s Auditor General’s report, which found that Hydro One, whom many Northern and rural residents rely on, spent $660 million on smart meters, yet doesn’t use them to detect power outages on its system.

It also found Hydro One customers have seen 24% more outages from 2010 to 2014, and those outages have lasted 30% longer.

“The Energy Minister launched a full scale attack on the Auditor last year when she criticized Smart Meters, and it turns out they’re not even using them!” Fedeli exclaimed during Question Period today.

“I ask the Premier, why does she think it’s okay for Hydro One to leave Northerners to languish for days on end without power?”

According the Auditor, Ontarians have paid $37 billion more than they should have for power as a direct result of government decisions, and will be overcharged another $133 billion in the future.

For many of our most vulnerable, the government is literally forcing them to choose whether to heat or eat,” said Fedeli.

“It’s clear the Wynne government just isn’t in it for Ontarians anymore.”

Video of Fedeli in Question Period can be found online here: https://youtu.be/hqa3Je33Lwk