The MPP for Huron-Bruce is questioning why Ontario is pursuing electricity from other jurisdictions.
Yesterday Newfoundland and Labrador officials said they were exploring ways of selling electricity to Ontario, an opportunity available through the 8.6 billion-dollar Muskrat Falls project on Labrador's lower Churchill River.
Ontario Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli says Ontario has a strong supply of electricity but will need to import ``clean'' power from Newfoundland for the 12 years or more that it will take to refurbish 10 nuclear reactors in the province.
Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson says it's ironic that the province is looking at other jurisdictions for cheap power yet is locked in renewable energy contracts.
"It is ironic that the Premier is looking to other jurisdictions for cheap power after her own government locked in renewable energy contacts with subsides that Ontarians cannot afford, for an energy source that we don't need," says Thompson. "The Premier is not getting the basic economics of supply and demand. And who's paying for that? Ontarians."
"Ontario already has a surplus of electricity that it sells at discount rates to neighbouring states and province’s for a loss. While our neighbours benefit from discount prices, businesses in Ontario are shuttering their windows and moving out."