Warning message

Please note that this page is from our archives. There may be more up-to-date content about this topic on our website. Use our search engine to find out.

Hamilton–Area residents opposed to the deregulation of electricity say the local Hamilton economy will suffer unless the provincial government pulls the plug on market competition for hydro. Community organizers are gearing up to short circuit the sell-off of public electricity and are encouraging Hamilton residents to attend a public forum detailing the hazards of electricity reform in Hamilton on Monday, March 25, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Hamilton Public Library, 55 York Blvd.

The Ontario Electricity Coalition (OEC), a province-wide, grassroots group opposed to electricity deregulation and privatization, has organized the local forum, one of many scheduled across the province detailing the facts about electricity reform and encouraging community actions to halt the hydro sell-off.

What were doing is telling the real story and debunking the Ontario governments $2.3 million in advertising spin selling electricity competition as good for consumers. The reality is, that regardless of where deregulation and privatization of electricity has been implemented, the competitive market experiment for hydro has meant higher rates and unreliable service.

In the United States, where deregulation has proved a huge economic blunder, 22 states are now re-regulating the industry, says Paul Kahnert with the OEC.

In Alberta, the cost of deregulation to residents and local businesses is estimated at over $8 billion. Despite the dismal experiences of other jurisdictions, the Ontario Tory government plans to forge ahead with opening the electricity market to competition on May 1 and the outright sell-off of Hydro One.

Experts are also warning that international trade rules will prevent the Ontario government from protecting users from soaring electricity prices and ensuring the province has enough power once the market is deregulated and electricity is sold in the U.S. market.

There are many local residents who understand that forcing competition in the electricity sector will not only mean higher rates for residential customers but will hurt local industries. This has been the experience elsewhere and wont be any different here. We can fight deregulation and win. Its not a done deal and everyone in the Hamilton community must tell their local MPP to stop the hydro sell-off, says Kahnert.

-30-

For more information please contact:
Paul Kahnert, Ontario Electricity Coalition
(416) 407-0077
Bob Sutton, (905) 549-1305
Stella Yeadon, OEC Communications
(416) 578-8774