October 5, 2016 NDP Opposition Day Motion
Ms. Horwath — Whereas Ontario’s energy system was founded with the principle “Power at Cost” and that “The Gifts of Nature are for the People” which built Ontario into an economic powerhouse;
Whereas people and businesses should be able to count on affordable, reliable energy to ensure prosperity and give a bright future to Ontario’s next generations;
Whereas our hydroelectricity system was owned by the people of Ontario and delivered affordable, reliable electricity and economic prosperity for over one hundred years;
Whereas the Liberal party did not run on a plan to privatize Ontario’s hydro system;
Whereas privatization of our hydro system under Conservative and Liberal governments have driven up generation costs from 4.3 cents per kilowatt hour in 2002 to an on-peak price of 18 cents per kilowatt hour in 2016;
Whereas Ontarians have reason to be concerned that the Liberal government is planning to facilitate the privatization of Local Distribution Companies such as Toronto Hydro;
Whereas as many as 80% of people across Ontario oppose the privatization of Hydro One;
Whereas, people of Ontario deserve to have a say before any more of Hydro One is sold off to private investors or any other privatization takes place;
Whereas the next provincial election in Ontario is now less than two years away;
Therefore, the Legislative Assembly calls on the Liberal government to take immediate steps to stop any further privatization of Ontario’s hydro system, including both Hydro One and any Local Distribution Companies such as Toronto Hydro.
Addressed to the Premier. Filed September 28, 2016.