NDP Energy critic Peter Tabuns’ statement regarding safety of smart meters

“The Liberal government has blown billions of dollars on a smart meter program that hasn’t saved consumers money, hasn’t saved energy and is now posing a public safety risk.  This is nothing short of a colossal mess.  

“Last summer, New Democrats raised this safety issue after the Saskatchewan government removed over 100,000 smart meters in homes after a series of eight unexplained fires linked with the Sensus smart meters.  In August 2014, NDP MPP Lisa Gretzky wrote to the Minister of Energy and the Electrical Safety Authority about the safety of the Sensus smart meters in Ontario homes and the response she got was everything is fine and Ontarians have nothing to worry about. 

“Clearly, with today’s announcement that 5,500 smart meters are being removed and replaced because of possible fires– everything is not fine. What’s even more concerning are that according to the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office, 13 fires have been linked to smart meters since 2011.

“This is a serious matter of public trust and undermines people’s confidence in the system.  People across Ontario will be wondering if the smart meter attached to their house is the faulty one that might spark a fire. 

“The Liberals can’t downplay or dismiss this problem; the concern for public safety is paramount.”