Bruce Grey Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker is miffed by the Liberal government's plan to sign more costly green energy contracts for power Ontario doesn't need.
Just seven months after Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault admitted mistakes with the green energy program, the province announced 390 new FIT contracts for 15 megawatts of power.
Walker says he is frustrated to no end to see ratepayers on the hook for power that isn't needed.
He says since 2009, Ontario has "given away" $6-billion in surplus energy to neighbouring jurisdictions, while overpaying $9.2-billion for green energy.
“Ask any local business in Bruce and Grey how they feel about this Liberal government forcing them to bankroll their competitors,” he says. “No one in their good conscience would agree to this. So why is the Liberal government allowing it?”
He says Ontario businesses will now have to further subsidize their competitor's power bills, which puts jobs at risk.
“It’s this incompetence and waste that has gotten Hydro rates out of control while Ontario families are working harder, paying more, and getting less than ever before,” he says.
Walker also criticizes the Liberals for awarding massive energy contracts to companies that donated $1.3-million to the Ontario Liberal Party.
“How many Ontarians could receive mental health services if this government hadn’t wasted billions of dollars on bad energy contracts? How many schools could we keep open? How many educational assistants could we provide in special education? How many long-term care beds could we build to address the long waiting list?” Walker says.
