TORONTO – This morning, Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak addressed the Association of Power Producers of Ontario to outline his priorities for a strong, stable energy sector.
A Tim Hudak-led Ontario PC Government will ensure that energy policy is treated as economic policy- not social policy- and will put Ontario families first. Hudak committed to working with energy stakeholders to develop a policy framework that works for Ontario and to let the industry do their jobs without constant meddling from Queen’s Park.
In his remarks, Hudak said a future PC Government will create a dedicated Consumer Advocate at the OEB to represent the interests of ratepayers and ensure political interests don’t trump a families’ ability to pay.
QUOTES:“To ensure that consumers’ interests come first again, and to enhance the OEB’s role in this regard, we would restore the OEB to it’s core mandate, consumer protection, and take out these extraneous new businesses. We would also create a dedicated Consumer Advocate at the OEB to represent the interests of ratepayers and ensure special interests don’t trump a family’s ability to pay.” -- Tim Hudak, Ontario PC Leader
“A PC government will separate politics from energy policy and planning. Our approach will be rooted in accountability to the consumer, the family, small businesses and industry. All players in the sector – from the smallest to the biggest – will be accountable to the consumer.“ -- Tim Hudak, Ontario PC Leader
QUICK FACTS:
According to a recent study, a typical Ontario family can expect to pay $732 more each year for electricity by 2015.
Since new nuclear facilities require a ten-year lead time, an Ontario PC Government will go ahead with new projects immediately.
In March, the McGuinty Liberals amended the Ontario Energy Board Act to force energy utilities to collect a $53 million tax through a hidden special purpose charge.
Unlike Dalton McGuinty, a Tim Hudak Government would allow families choice and make smart meters and time-of-use pricing optional.
Next week, the Government will announce that hydro rates will go up again on November 1st.
