By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday November 6, 2002
Tory Minister Demands Hydro Rates be Capped
Labour Minister Brad Clark is calling on his government to cap electricity rates for several years as Conservative MPPs try to head off the growing public outrage over skyrocketing prices.
Clark, the MPP for Stoney Creek, said rates should be capped “to prevent the wild fluctuations we are seeing.
“There has to be some kind of equalization of those fluctuations right now. I would suggest then if they were doing it over the next five to 10 years, while power generation is developed, it would be easier on the consumer,” Clark told reporters yesterday.
Experts blame the shortage of power generation in Ontario for bills going through the roof, since the shortfall has to be made up by buying more expensive imported power.
Clark said people in his riding are “having a difficult time making the payments, so I think that there is some just cause for alarm and we have to figure out a way to mitigate those wild fluctuations.” (Source: Hamilton Spectator)