In the aftermath of yesterday’s decision by Dalton McGuinty to impose his latest in a series of rate and tax hikes that will push hydro bills up $350 more a year, Ontario PC Energy Critic, John Yakabuski called for an urgent Sunset Review process to guarantee that the money that Ontario families are forced to fork over will not go to waste at agencies, boards and commissions, such as the Ontario Power Authority (OPA).
The OPA, conceived five-years ago as a transitional, virtual organization with 15 employees, swollen into an organization of close to 300 employees, and has since effectively become another bloated, expensive arm of the government.
As part of Tim Hudak’s ’10 for 2010’ Plan, all government agencies, boards and commissions would be required to regularly obtain the specific consent of the Ontario Legislature in order to continue receiving public funds. The mandatory Sunset Review process would force all ministries, agencies, boards, and commissions to justify their existence and continued value to the public.
QUOTES
“Today Ontario families are going to be paying a staggering $350 more a year for hydro while these energy bureaucracies continue to waste money on salaries and consultants. Our Ontario PC Plan for a Sunset Review will stop this runaway spending and control waste.” -- Ontario PC Energy Critic John Yakabuski, MPP
“It is time that we replaced Dalton McGuinty’s culture of entitlement with a culture of accountability. A transparent and public Sunset Review will allow the public to judge for themselves where their money is being well invested and where it is going to waste.” -- Ontario PC Energy Critic John Yakabuski, MPP
QUICK FACTS
In 2005, 6 people at the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) made more than $100,000 per year. By 2009 that number had bloated to 75 people totaling almost $12 million in salaries. Since 2005, the OPA has spent more than $56,000,000 on “Professional and Consulting Fees” alone.
The OPA was originally set up in 2004 as a transitional, virtual agency. Today, while hydro bills skyrocket, the OPA has become a bloated, energy bureaucracy. At a speech on January 26, 2005, Jan Carr, CEO of the OPA, said:
“…the OPA could be considered a transitional organization.”
“It is, in fact, a virtual utility.”
“...the OPA will decline in size and importance...”
Christine Bujold
Christine.bujold@pc.ola.org 
