Dalton McGuinty Knew Full Well Smart Meters “Tax Machines” Were Botched

NEWS: Electricity stakeholders have alerted the Ontario PC Caucus to an OEB letter to electricity distributors, dated August 4, 2010, where the OEB acknowledged that issues raised by distributors were valid. In fact, they admitted that “these matters need to be addressed”, and “distributors may encounter extraordinary and unanticipated circumstances during the implementation of TOU pricing” (OEB letter, Page 4).

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Ontario PC Leader, Tim Hudak, called on Dalton McGuinty to stop the botched implementation of his so-called smart meters, fix the problems and give families choice in opting into time-of-use pricing. Other jurisdictions across the United States, Europe and Australia provide that choice. And the Australian state of Victoria even froze its time of use billing after problems were discovered. A PC Caucus Opposition Day Motion, debated this afternoon will once again call on the McGuinty Government to suspend the smart meter time-of-use program until billing problems are fixed. QUOTES “The McGuinty Liberals knew full well that their so-called smart meter plan was botched but they’re going full-steam ahead at the expense of hard-working Ontario families.” -- Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak “The Ontario PC caucus is calling on Dalton McGuinty to suspend the smart meter program until the billing problems are fixed and let families decide if they want to participate in the program. A PC Government would give families that choice.” -- Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak QUICK FACTS

• A Tim Hudak Government would allow families choice and make smart meters and time-of-use pricing optional.
• On August 4, the OEB acknowledged in its own letter that “a number of distributors expressed the view that the setting of mandatory TOU dates is premature and inappropriate at this time” (OEB letter, Page 2).
• Issues raised in July by distributors include problems with the central smart meter database, consumer awareness, and updates to their baseline planning.

CONTACT: Pema Lhalungpa, pema.lhalungpa@pc.ola.org

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