Perth Wellington's MPP says local curling clubs are at risk of closing due to significant hikes in the cost of hydro.
Randy Pettapiece has introduced petitions signed by over 500 curlers, asking the Ontario legislature to develop new policies to address global adjustment charges.
He says the inequities in those charges unfairly impact curling clubs and other non-profit associations.
He says curling clubs have already been forced to reduce service and raise rates.
Ontario has over 200 curling facilities used by about 50,000 curlers.
“The global adjustment rate fluctuates from month to month, which makes it extremely difficult for non-profit associations to adequately budget for their hydro bills,” says Pettapiece. “Many of these clubs receive little to no outside funding, and skyrocketing hydro bills are eating into the funds that they rely on to provide members services.”
The global adjustment charge is added to all hydro bills to pay the difference between the market rate of hydro and the price paid to generators. For most consumers, the global adjustment charge is built into their time-of-use pricing, so they never see a line item for the charge on their bill.
“The government relies on the global adjustment charge to finance its energy projects and gas plant scandals,” says Pettapiece. “While families, businesses and non-profit associations pay additional charges on their hydro bills to cover rich subsidies to wind turbine developers, the government turns around and sells the generated power to other jurisdictions at a fraction of the cost.”
