Schreiner Calls for Sensible, Long-term Solutions to Hydro Rates

Schreiner Calls for Sensible, Long-term Solutions to Hydro RatesIn anticipation of the hydro rate announcement in today’s fall economic statement, Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner criticized all the old parties for risking energy and economic efficiency for short-term political posturing.

Ontarians are struggling with higher electricity costs, yet only the GPO has a long-term plan to address this by recognizing that the most sensible way to reduce energy bills is to reduce energy demand. Saving a kilowatt today through conservation means that you save money today, tomorrow, and ten years from now.

The old parties want to create irresponsible subsidies to hide the real costs of energy and create new debt. As a fiscally responsible party, the Green Party of Ontario believes in transparent and fully-costed solutions.

An honest dialog about energy starts with prioritizing conservation and energy efficiency.
The Liberals’ new program is an artificial subsidy of energy prices that muddies an already confusing hydro bill while failing to address our long-term energy challenges. It’s a market distortion that’s bad for both the economy and the environment.

Instead, the Green Party would direct investment into a Green Building Retrofit Program that would create thousands of jobs, save residents and businesses money, and provide a sensible, long-term solution to our energy, economic and environmental challenges.

The Green Party is committed to a sustainable reduction of Ontarians’ hydro bills today and for the long term. It’s time for a plan that will deliver lasting financial and environmental benefits.

Quotes:

“The old parties clearly don’t understand that investing in energy efficiency and conservation is the most cost effective and financially responsible approach to meeting our energy needs.”

“Our children deserve better. Leaving them a financial and an energy efficiency debt makes no sense. It’s time to invest in sensible, long-term solutions that save money today and tomorrow.”

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Media Contact:
Jaymini Bhikha
416-275-8573