The Ontario Clean Air Alliance wants the Ontario Energy Board to review a $60 billion dollar electricity procurement contract between Bruce B and the Ontario Government .
Chair Jack Gibbons says The Independent system Electricity Operator is negotiating a 30 year deal on behalf of the province.
He says many employees of that organization are also owners of Bruce B through their two labour organizations: the Society of Energy Professionals, and the Power Workers Union.
He says they both invest in Bruce B.
Gibbons says the deal needs to be reviewed by an impartial agency to ensure its the best contract for the public.
“The IESO’s Bruce B negotiators are dependent on the agency’s staff for information, analysis and advice,” said Gibbons.
He adds “A conflict of interest is any situation where a public servant’s private interests may be in conflict with his/her public service responsibilities.”
“An apparent conflict of interest does not necessarily mean that hanky-panky is going on. It means that the facts, on their face, suggest there are double loyalties that could affect decision-making,” Gibbons said.
“The IESO’s rules state that one employee in an apparent conflict calls into question its ability to act impartially for the public — so with much of its workforce in an apparent conflict of interest in a multi-billion deal, we have a big problem,” said Gibbons.
“It is time for Premier Wynne to announce that the contract will be reviewed by the Ontario Energy Board, to clear the air and to ensure that the public is truly getting the best possible deal on electricity costs,” Gibbons said.
