'Wynne Liberals have seen the light,' Fedeli

Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli
News Release

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The McGuinty-Wynne Liberals have seen the light and adopted a policy proposed nearly a year ago by the Ontario PC party, PC Energy Critic and Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli said today.



The Energy Minister announced last night that local electricity distribution companies (LDCs) will not be forced into consolidating.



It comes after release of a government-commissioned panel report in December which recommended the current 77 LDCs in Ontario be consolidated into as few as eight, including two in Northern Ontario.



Fedeli noted the Ontario PC position on this subject has been clear since release of the Paths to Prosperity: Affordable Energy white paper back in May 2012 – a position Fedeli reiterated in a face-to-face meeting with Chiarelli last month.



“The Ontario PCs believe any consolidations among LDCs should be voluntary, and supported by eliminating the transfer tax,” Fedeli said.



“The ultimate goal should be to lower hydro bills for families by creating stronger utilities with lower operations, maintenance and administrative costs,” Fedeli added.



Fedeli had maintained that in some cases, utilities like North Bay Hydro and their customers would be better served not consolidating.



“I’m pleased to see the Minister took my advice seriously.”

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