Northerners Pay the Price For Government - Approved Hydro and Gas Hikes: NDP

QUEEN’S PARK – NDP House Leader and Timmins-James Bay MPP Gilles Bisson says the government is failing hard working Ontarians who can’t afford to pay outrageous price increases for gas and hydro.

“We know that the Ontario Energy Board approved an application of Union Gas for a 28% increase,” said Bisson during question period. “[And] we see coming down the pipe a 44% increase on hydro costs as a result of what [the government has] put forward.” Bisson says that while many northerners are willing to swallow additional costs associated with the long, cold winter, it doesn’t make sense for the price increases to be permanent. “People cannot afford to pay, and they expect to see their government being there to assist them and not to stand on the sidelines,” explained Bisson. Bisson urged the Liberal government to take action to help Ontarians. “Can you tell me why the government is standing on the sidelines while the OAB rubber stamps these huge rate increases?” asked Bisson. “Will the minister take action and stand with the people of Ontario, and not necessarily just these gas companies?”