14 April 2011
Stop Fleecing Hamiltonians on Hydro Rates: Miller
Calls on McGuinty Liberals to relieve the burden of skyrocketing hydro bills

QUEEN'S PARK—During Question Period today Paul Miller, NDP MPP for Hamilton East–Stoney Creek, asked the Premier to relieve the burden of skyrocketing hydro bills for Hamilton ratepayers.

Miller took the time to tell hydro horror stories from Hamiltonians who are suffering because of the reckless energy policies of the Liberal government.

“Last month, Bonnie McLaughlin, a Hamilton senior who lives with her husband and who recently retired after 40 years, wrote to us saying, ‘I’m tired of eating cold food in the dark and not having clean clothes to wear because I can’t afford to use the hydro to perform these simple daily functions.’"

Miller asked, “Why won’t this government help Ontarians, like Bonnie and her husband, and take the HST off hydro?”

Premier McGuinty admitted that his government had been swayed by NDP pressure to ease hydro costs for Ontarians. However, for Miller real relief means permanent removal of the HST from hydro bills not just a temporary rebate with an election day expiry date. He raised the concerns of another ordinary ratepayer from Hamilton:

“More and more, Ontarians are struggling to pay their hydro bills. Marlene van Droogenbroeck, also from Hamilton, writes, ‘Electricity far outweighs all my other bills. My bill has gone up at least 25% since smart meters have been around and the HST has been introduced.’”

Miller offered his frank opinion on the reason behind high hydro bills:

“Hydro rates are rising because the government is spending billions on smart meters, that don’t reduce electricity use, and on expensive, new nuclear plants instead of cheaper conservation and energy efficiency.”

He put a simple question to the Premier, “Why does the McGuinty government care more about supporting its friends in the power industry than making hydro affordable for people like Bonnie and Marlene?”

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Media Contact: Paul Miller (416) 325-0707

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