QUEEN’S PARK — Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to the government’s announcement of a new overnight hydro rate.
“In the midst of an affordability crisis, helping Ontarians save money by saving energy should be top priority for this government.
This new hydro rate has the potential to help night workers and electric vehicle users save on their electricity bills. This is a policy change I have pushed for.
But we shouldn’t let this announcement distract us from this government’s cancellation of energy efficiency programs that are built to help people save money by saving energy. Or their push to ramp up expensive fossil gas plants that will increase prices and pollution.
This is a government that has mismanaged Ontario’s electricity system. Instead of means testing electricity rebate programs, they are now spending $6.5 billion per year on rebates that disproportionately benefit the wealthy.
This government’s record is to waste tax dollars cancelling renewable energy projects, increase prices and pollution by ramping up gas plants, and end efficiency programs that help people save money by saving energy. ”