Budget 2016 Includes No Credible Plan for Affordable Energy

QUEEN’S PARK – Leading up to the release of Budget 2016, the Ontario PC Caucus outlined three reasonable recommendations the people of the province deserved to see included in the budget, one of which was a credible plan for affordable energy.

Unfortunately, Budget 2016 included no plan to address Ontario’s skyrocketing energy prices which are among the highest in North America. Under the Liberal Government average household hydro bills have increased by more than $1,000 per year.
“We wanted a plan to make energy more affordable. The Liberal response was to offer a two dollar a month rebate,” said Leader of the Official Opposition Patrick Brown during Question Period. “That does nothing for a senior with an $800 a month hydro bill.”
Included in the Ontario PC’s ask was a call for a halt to the further sale of Hydro One. Despite the opposition of almost 200 municipalities and approximately 80 per cent of Ontarians, the Liberal Government is moving forward with the fire sale of Hydro One while offering absolutely zero assurances it will not result in further rate increases.
In addition, while average families are struggling to afford monthly hydro bills, the Liberal Government is prioritizing exorbitant compensation packages for Hydro One executives.

“This budget did nothing to bring Hydro One executive’s salary in line with the rest of Canada. After this budget the combined salaries of 6 hydro executives in four other provinces are still less than the $4-million being paid to the Hydro One CEO,” added Brown. “After this budget the CEO still makes twice as much as the three highest paid executives from British Columbia.”
“Will the Premier amend the budget to include a credible plan to make energy affordable?”