LOWER HYDRO RATES: Bisson Says Ontario Not Competitive
2010-03-24 Post a CommentAudio Files:
Today in Question Period, Gilles Bisson called on the Liberal government to provide a lower industrial hydro rate in tomorrow’s budget. He says high rates are leading to the exodus of companies like Xstrata.
“Xstrata’s Met Site is the largest utility user of hydro in the province. The Premier can’t make anyone believe that Ontario’s high hydro rates are not contributing to the shutdown of the refinery in Timmins.’
Bisson says the Liberals haven’t listened to anyone. “This could have been prevented if only the government had heeded the call from New Democrats, northern mayors, the mining and forestry associations, and unions for an affordable hydro rate for energy intensive employers.”Bisson says hydro prices have been a real issue for industry in the north for years. “Can we expect in Thursday’s budget something to do with hydro rates so we don’t see more companies like Xstrata, leave Ontario for cheaper provinces like Manitoba or Quebec?”