SCOTT STANDS UP AGAINST INCREASING HYDRO RATES

QUEEN’S PARK – As of November 1st, 2015, hydro rates have increased to 17.5 cents per kilowatt-hour for on-peak hours. Hydro rates are now four times what they were when the Liberal Government first came into power.

During Question Period, Laurie Scott (MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock) asked the Minister of Energy about the government’s continued push to subsidize the costs of industrial solar and wind projects as Ontarians suffer the consequences.

“The government claims that it cares about the environment, yet the Green Energy Act allows wind turbines to be constructed on the sensitive Oak Ridges moraine in Manvers and Bethany.”

The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) has said that the cost of renewable resources, such as solar and wind, account for one-third of the increase of hydro rates. The OEB also claims that the rate increases encourage Ontarians to conserve, and use less electricity during peak hours.

“Does this government expect seniors on fixed incomes to freeze during peak periods, businesses to close, and dairy cattle to hold their milk until off peak hours?” asked Scott in the legislature. “How can the Minister tell Ontarians that to better manage their bills, they should just stop working and heating their homes during on-peak hours?”

Hydro is becoming increasingly unaffordable for Ontarians, especially for those in rural areas like Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, who have to make the choice between heating their homes and eating food at home.

“Although renewable energy is important, Ontarians should not have to suffer energy poverty to pay for it,” said Scott.

For video link: https://youtu.be/hx-2D6JAGMQ