With the resumption of the legislature Tuesday (Feb. 21), opposition MPPs, including Thompson, hammered the Liberals over their lack of action on the ever-increasing costs of hydro to Ontario families and businesses.

 

"What the Liberals don't understand is that if they don't start standing up for Ontario businesses - such as Snobelen Farms in Huron-Bruce whose hydro delivery charge is three times the cost of its electricity - we're going to continue seeing jobs and investment flee our province at an alarming rate," said Thompson. "Premier Kathleen Wynne needs to finally admit that her careless spending is perpetuating the ongoing gouging of Ontario businesses, and start taking real, tangible action to bring down costs."

 

In response to Thompson's question, energy minister Glenn Thibeault chose not to answer, instead punting it to Brad Duguid, minister of economic development and growth, who had no words of comfort for hard-hit Ontarians. Instead, he said he is "proud of the investments" his government has made, and claimed that Ontario is the most competitive jurisdiction in North America for small and medium-sized businesses, a statement that people just don't believe.

 

"It's disappointing that the Liberals are sticking to their tired rhetoric on this," said Thompson. "If we had a nickel for every time they've patted themselves on the back or said something will be done and then failed to follow up, we could probably actually afford our hydro bills."