Barrett responds to Ontario Chamber report on electricity prices

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 9, 2015

SIMCOE – The Ontario Chamber of Commerce is adding its voice to the growing clamour over skyrocketing electricity prices.

Released July 8, the report, Empowering Ontario: Constraining Costs and Staying Competitive in the Electricity Market makes recommendations to curb rising energy costs and keep business in the province. The report includes a public opinion poll by Leger that found electricity prices have reached a crisis point for Ontario businesses and residents.

The report estimates that five per cent of Ontario businesses may have to close their doors due to rising electricity prices.

“Skyrocketing electricity prices have been the number one complaint my office has received the past few years,” said Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett. “Not only do the escalating costs make paying the bills difficult for those on fixed incomes and residents in general, but it drives business out of Ontario. Every industry that leaves means more people will end up with even tougher times.”

Barrett is also concerned about the impact on residents. He referred to a meeting with a local couple who live in a modest 790 square-foot house, with a January electricity bill last January of $641.67, $233.89 of which was delivery charge. This couple only uses one electric space heater and they wear heavy sweaters all winter. They told Barrett all their pension goes to pay their electricity bill.

“It’s a sad scenario when people need to choose between paying their electricity bill and purchasing other essentials,” Barrett said.

 

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For more information,
contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org