Huron Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson says the provincial government is failing to take the impact of skyrocketing hydro rates seriously.
The MPP used this week's return to the legislature to hammer the Liberals over their lack of action on ever increasing hydro costs for Ontario families and businesses.
She said the impact of what she calls the mismanaged energy file is very evident in Huron and Bruce.
"What the Liberals don't understand is that if they don't start standing up for Ontario businesses, like Snobelen Farms in Huron-Bruce whose delivery charge is three times the cost of their electricity, we're going to continue seeing jobs and investment flee our province at an alarming rate," said Thompson. "The premier needs to finally admit that her careless spending is perpetuating the ongoing gouging of Ontario businesses, and start taking real, tangible action to bring down costs."
She pointed to Snobelen Farms delivery charge, which is three times the cost of their electricity.
"On Snobelen's January hydro bill, there was a delivery charge of $9,006 before HST, while there electricity cost was $3,312," she explained.
She says Ontario will continue to see jobs and investment flee the region at an alarming rate, adding that the careless spending of the government is gouging Ontario business.
Energy Minister Glen Thibeault chose not to answer and passed the question on to Economic Development and Growth Minister Brad Duguid.
Duguid told the legislature he is proud of the investment his government has made, and called Ontario the most competitive jurisdiction in North America for small and medium businesses.
"Our Regional Economic Development Funds have seen us invest $145-million. That's leveraged $1.7-billion of private sector investments and created or supported 35,000 jobs in small businesses in eastern Ontario and southwestern Ontario," responded Duguid.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is also concerned, pointing to an Auditor General statement that cap and trade will increase electricity rates by 25%.
"It's disappointing that the Liberals are sticking to their tired rhetoric on this. If we had a nickel for every time they've patted themselves on the back or said something will be done and then failed to follow up, we could probably actually afford our hydro bills," concluded Thompson.