Fair Hydro Plan isn't so fair, says Ross Romano

Leaked document reveals hydro prices to rise to record high and Liberals hid the comeback of the debt retirement charge, Romano charges

Ward 6 Councillor Ross Romano is pictured in this SooToday file photo.

NEWS RELEASE

PC CANDIDATE ROSS ROMANO

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“It turns out Kathleen Wynne’s so-called ‘Fair Hydro Plan’ isn’t fair after all. Starting next year, hydro rates will rise again, and by 2024 Ontarians will be paying a record high,” said Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown. “The Liberal scheme isn’t about making life affordable for Ontario. It’s about Kathleen Wynne’s short-term goal of re-election in 2018.”

“Debbie Amaroso, Wynne’s local spokesperson in Sault Ste. Marie is being extremely disingenuous by describing the Liberals desperate short-term relief scheme as a plan. It is clear that the Liberals are continuing to try to deceive the people of Sault Ste. Marie for their own partisan gain. Sault Ste. Marie residents will see through this charade” stated Ross Romano the PC Candidate in the Sault Ste. Marie by- election.

The details are explained in black and white in a leaked document marked 'confidential' presented to the Liberal cabinet in early March 2017. It shows that rates decline in 2017 only to rise the following year. However in 2022, the Liberals’ plan completely falls apart and rates immediately spike. By 2024, they are the highest rates Ontario has ever seen.

The document also reveals that the controversial debt retirement charge will come back, a stunning development that will raise people’s hydro bills further.

“Ontario still has the fastest rising rates in North America, and Wynne’s four-year plan does nothing to change that,” said Ontario PC Energy Critic Todd Smith. “This raises two important questions: why did Kathleen Wynne try to conceal the return of the debt retirement charge and what other secret plans does she have to raise bills further right after the next election?”

The average monthly residential bills will jump to an average of $151/month in 2023. By 2024, Ontarians will see rates jump to the highest ever at $161/month. Ontarians’ rates will jump again in 2026 to an average of $183/month. And by 2030, the rates will jump to $216/month.

Year / Average Monthly Residential Bill

2010 $104

2015 $136

2016 $158

2017 $123

2018 $126

2019 $128

2020 $131

2021 $133

2022 $142

2023 $151

2024 $161