Featured Posts — 23 November 2010
Consumer unrest over spiking Hydro One electricity rates took a political turn, Nov. 19, as Dryden area residents braved a blizzard on the lawn of the provincial government building where they voiced their displeasure.
And while the driving snows tested the resolve of the 30 or so protestors in attendance, the wintry scene only helped convey the message: that not even our homes may offer comfort from the cold winter ahead.
For the most part the crosshairs were firmly fixed on Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, the one they held responsible for escalating Hydro One rates, the application of harmonized sales tax to hydro billing, the imminent threat of Time-Of-Use restrictions and the promise of future rate increases to pay for new green energy initiatives.
Supporting honks of passing traffic were a musical accompaniment as carolers sang out a mocking refrain directed at McGuinty to the tune of ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town.’
He bills you when you’re sleeping
Even more when you’re awake
He knows that he can lie to you
So vote him out for goodness sake
Organizer Kelly Getson, who joined friend Becky Fediuk in creating the Facebook page ‘Join the Fight Against Hydro 1 Rates’, says she was impressed with her fellow protestors’ determination, given the weather.
“I’m very impressed with the amount of people that have come out and shown their support for this.”
Kenora-Rainy River MPP and frequent Hydro One critic Howard Hampton pledged his support to the rally in person and told protestors he would represent their concerns at Queens Park.
“The reality is that people are living on lower incomes now compared to what they had three or four years ago,” said Hampton. “People don’t have the money to pay a Hydro bill that’s doubled, to pay a Hydro bill that has the HST on it. The government of the day has got to wake up and realize it.”
Last week, the province responded to provincewide anger by announcing a 10 per cent benefit (Ontario Clean Energy Benefit) to help customers manage rising electricity prices over the next five years in the same breath the province projected a 46 per cent rise in residential electricity rates over five years.
Hampton says that protests across Ontario are forcing the provincial government to act.
“The reason they announced the 10 per cent yesterday is because ordinary people are starting to pay attention and protest,” said Hampton. “The government is being forced to respond. We have to be aware that there is an election only 10 months away and this is very much a government saying, ‘can we buy your vote?’. But 10 per cent isn’t going to fix the issue for people.”
It certainly doesn’t fix the issue for Getson, who hopes the province takes note of this public display of anger.
“The 10 per cent that he announced yesterday is nothing more than a ploy to gain back popularity and voters,” she said. “He announces 10 per cent and then it’s going to go up 46 per cent. Where is the justice?”
By Chris Marchand
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