Ontario’s eight independent government watchdogs banded together today to reiterate accountability concerns over the Liberals’ proposed Hydro One sale that were first brought to the Legislature by the Ontario PC caucus, MPP and Finance Critic Vic Fedeli remarked today.
In an unprecedented step, the watchdogs jointly signed a letter today outlining their concerns about how the budget bill will strip away oversight over the operations of Hydro One.
“The government would take the revenue from its Hydro One stake and reflect it in its consolidated revenues, and yet Ontarians would receive no operational information on Hydro One from Ontario’s independent Legislative Officers,” they wrote.
Fedeli says the watchdogs confirm what he’s been saying about the Liberals’ Hydro One plan since it first came to light.
“The Legislative officers are right – the budget bill will remove all accountability and oversight over Hydro One at a time, given record public complaints and skyrocketing energy rates, it’s needed the most,” Fedeli said.
On April 28, Fedeli outlined in the Legislature how the budget bill will allow Hydro One to escape future scrutiny from the Auditor General, Financial Accountability Officer, Information and Privacy Commissioner, Ombudsman, Integrity Commissioner and the Sunshine List.
The French Language Services Commissioner is also worried Hydro One would no longer be subject to the French Language Services Act. The watchdogs also note lobbyists would no longer have to report if they’re lobbying Hydro One and its subsidiaries.
“What’s happening here is the wholesale stripping of access to any information whatsoever, about an asset the people will still own control over,” Fedeli said.
“Premier, what are you trying to hide this time?”
