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.

Toronto – St. Catharines area residents opposed to the deregulation and privatization of electricity are gearing up to short circuit the Tory government plan to bring competition to the hydro sector.

y will be attending a public forum detailing the hazards of electricity reform in St. Catharines on Friday March 1 at 7 p.m. (to 9 p.m.) at Brock University, the Thistle Room #325.

The public forum is organized by local members of the Ontario Electricity Coalition (OEC), a province-wide, grassroots group opposed to electricity deregulation and privatization. The OEC is now travelling the province holding forums and detailing the facts about electricity reform.

What we’re doing is telling the real story and debunking the Ontario government’s $2.3 million in advertising spin selling electricity competition as a 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, were deregulation has proved a huge economic blunder, 22 states are now re-regulating the industry,” says Paul Kahnert with the coalition.

Despite the dismal experiences of other jurisdictions, the Ontario Tory government plans to forge ahead with opening the electricity market to competition and the outright sell-off of Hydro One.

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 and businesses in our communities,” says Kahnert.

To find out more about the OEC visit their website at electricitycoalition.org.

-30-

For more information please contact:
Paul Kahnert, OEC Spokesperson
(416) 407-0077
Stella Yeadon, CUPE Communications
(416) 578-8774
Jim Agar
(905) 354-0863