Patrick Brown and the Conservatives are choosing once again to mislead Ontarians about natural gas rates claims Ontario Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault.
"What they refuse to acknowledge is that fluctuating global natural gas prices are largely responsible for what consumers around the world pay to heat their homes. The same is true here in Ontario," states Thibeault in response to Brown's assertion.
See: Heating bill costs buried in secrecy says Brown
"Recognizing this, the Ontario Energy Board’s (OEB) quarterly rate adjustment is a regular update that ensures stable consumer pricing, and avoids significant price swings that can happen with global commodities. It’s an important part of the OEB’s mandate to protect Ontario energy consumers, and ensure fair, transparent pricing across the province.
"With the market price of natural gas rising across North America since this time last year, prices here have increased as well. Despite this increase, natural gas prices remain lower today than they were in 2014 and for much of the previous decade. Gasoline prices are also at their lowest level in seven years heading into the Canada Day long weekend and experts predict they will remain this low for the rest of the summer."
Ontario is providing $100 million for the new Natural Gas Grant Program, expanding access to natural gas for communities that do not currently have service, including those in rural and Northern Ontario and First Nations communities.
"While the opportunistic Conservative leader is spinning this, the OEB’s announcement is a regular pricing update to reflect global commodity prices. Suggesting otherwise is a complete fabrication.”
