Winter Warm Up event takes on rising hydro rates

NEWS RELEASE

WE OWN IT

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A Sault Ste. Marie group dedicated to fighting the harmful effects of privatizations—such as the privatization of hydro—is holding a public letter-writing session on Thursday, Dec. 15, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Shabby Motley Handcraft, 365 Queen Street East.

“Rising hydro rates are forcing more and more people in our community to choose between heating and eating,” says Carole Gregorcic, who is actively involved in the We Own It campaign.

“So we’re holding an event called ‘Winter Warm Up’ where citizens can drop by Shabby Motley to donate food to those in need and to write a letter to MPP David Orazietti asking his government to stop the sale of Hydro One,” says Gregorcic. “For everybody who drops by, the coffee’s on us!”

We Own It is a province-wide campaign supported by OPSEU and a variety of other unions and social justice groups which aims to protect Ontarians’ public services from the damage of privatization schemes.

The damage being done by the privatization of Hydro One is well known. Along with rapidly rising rates, the privatization is also hurting Ontario citizens by robbing government of revenues.

The Financial Accountability Officer estimates the privatization is costing the government between $300 million and $500 million every year.

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