Transparency and Affordability For Ontario’s Energy System Critical To A Stronger Ontario

(Toronto, March 21, 2019) – Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) released the following statement in response to Minister Rickford’s announcement this afternoon.

“Affordability, flexibility, and transparency are critical to provincial energy planning, as a careful balance between the three helps to promote economic competitiveness and strengthen ratepayer confidence. Today’s announcement is a welcome first step in addressing the energy pricing challenges in Ontario.

“The economic prosperity of Ontario businesses is intrinsically tied to the cost effectiveness of our province’s energy supply. We have long called on the government to clearly display electricity costs on consumers’ electricity bills, including the Global Adjustment. Transparency ensures that businesses understand the cost drivers associated with their energy bill and the rationale for government decisions. As the Province continues its consultations, we look forward to working together to find new ways to help lower electricity for business, such as allowing industry to purchase surplus energy.”

Ontario Energy Board Modernization
“We are pleased to see the government’s commitment to reforming the governance structure of the Ontario Energy Board (OEB). Our membership has long called for independence and transparency within the OEB governance framework. These reforms are central to fulfilling the board’s mandate of consumer protection and rate mitigation.”

Conservation Programs
“We welcome the cost savings associated with centralizing the delivery of conservation programs though remain concerned about the proposal to discontinue certain programs such as the Heating and Cooling Incentive and Audit Funding Program that businesses rely on. We encourage the government to continue to support businesses of all sizes as industry adopts energy-efficient equipment – both to reduce their electricity costs and to achieve our collective environmental targets.”

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For more information please contact:
Ceara Copps – Edwards
Senior Communications Advisor
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
cearacoppsedwards@occ.ca| Office: (647) 936-6734

About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
For more than a century, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has been the independent, non-partisan voice of Ontario business. The OCC’s mission is to support economic growth in Ontario by defending business priorities at Queen’s Park on behalf of its network’s diverse 60,000 members.