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If the Progressive Conservative party forms the next provincial government, it would bring relief from high hydro bills, for families, seniors, farmers and small businesses.

That's the message leader Tim Hudak brought to Kincardine when he spoke briefly to a handful of media beside the transformer station at the corner of Highways 9 and 21, Thursday afternoon.

He said the PC caucus travelled across Ontario in January, to more than 80 communities, to warn hard-working families about how premier Dalton McGuinty's expensive energy experiments are causing hydro bills to skyrocket.

"Sadly, since the PC caucus last toured, Ontario families and seniors have seen two more hits to their hydro bills, courtesy of Dalton McGuinty," said Hudak.

He said this month, the PC party learned that the installation of the "Smart Meter tax machines" has crossed the $1-billion mark.

"Broken down per household, families are paying well over $200 to have the honour of one of Dalton McGuinty's Smart Meters slapped on the side of their homes," he said. "That doesn't even include the impact on bills families, seniors, farmers and small businesses face, paying higher hydro rates, thanks to Dalton McGuinty's Smart Meter tax machines."

Hudak said the second hit came with the discovery that families are also being stuck with an $18-million bill for fines and legal fees that local utilities incurred for illegally overcharging them.

"Even though the Supreme Court ruled in their favour, families still lose because they are being handed the bill," he said. "It's wrong, and the province should step in and stop it from happening."

He said while Liberals are raising hydro rates, Ontario's PCs have been calling for relief for Ontario families struggling to make ends meet.

"This month, we brought forward a motion calling for a forensic audit on the Debt Retirement Charge to let families know exactly how much they've paid down, how much more is left to pay on debt retirement, and when that charge will come off our bills," Hudak said. "But sadly, the McGuinty Liberals voted down our motion and want to keep that information secret from the families and small businesses that pay the bills."

The PCs also called on the government to pull the plug on the mandatory Smart Meter tax machines.

"Not every senior can get up at midnight to wash their clothes or do the dishes," Hudak said. "Not every parent can scramble to get their kids showered and fed before 7 a.m., before the higher rates kick in."

He said the good news is that in 203 days, Ontario families will have an opportunity to send a message to this government that enough is enough.

"This October will offer a clear choice - between an out-of-touch Dalton McGuinty who treats consumers like his own personal ATMs (Automated Teller Machines), or a Tim Hudak PC government that will put the consumers first, and give families and seniors the relief they deserve."

In response to questions, Hudak said a PC government would get rid of the mandatory Smart Meter program and replace it with a program that gives families a choice and a break on hydro rates. A PC government would decrease the bloated hydro bureaucracy which has inflated hydro bills; and a PC government would stop signing wind and solar contracts for projects along Lake Huron.

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Thursday, March 17, 2011