Statement by Ontario NDP Finance Critic Catherine Fife (MPP Kitchener-Waterloo) regarding Ontario Chamber of Commerce “Empowering Ontario” report

“According to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce nearly 4 in 10 businesses say that the cost of electricity is causing them to delay or cancel investments here in Ontario. That’s something New Democrats have heard over and over again from small and medium sized businesses across Ontario. The OCC’s own data shows that 80% of Ontarians are worried about how higher rates will impact their family budget and the economy’s well-being. If people think hydro rates are expensive now, Kathleen Wynne’s sell-off of Hydro One is going to send rates through the roof. Selling Hydro One won’t just mean young families are going to find it harder to pay their hydro bills, higher rates will also make it harder for business to grow and create good, stable jobs.

Kathleen Wynne needs to listen to the people who own Hydro One, and pull the plug on her Hydro One sell-off.”