Joe Gaetan is a Burlington resident with no political affiliation that we can find but he does have an issue with what the provincial government wants to do with Hydro One.
He wrote a letter to the editor of the Spectator and asked if we would also publish it. Given that more Burlingtonians read the Gazette than they do the Spectator we are pleased to let you hear what Mr. Gaetan thinks.
By Joe Gaetan
May 6, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
If I am not mistaken, the government of Ontario is the sole shareholder of Hydro One. In the 13 years the Liberal Party has been in power, the government has been the benefactor of $6.2 billion of income generated by Hydro One.
My problem with that is, the government could have taken less income to reduce the debt load imposed on the taxpayers and it could have provided a more reasonable cost of electricity to consumers. Our electricity cost is among the highest in North America and that is hurting our ability to attract business.
Instead, Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli’s government chose to spend it otherwise. We don’t know where it all went, but it seems about $1 billion was wasted to save two Liberal seats in Mississauga and Oakville. The government has been spending more than it earns for 13 years, to the point where Ontario is $267 billion dollars in the hole. Now the government is selling a valuable asset.
Hydro One is a jewel, it is fabulous, drool-worthy, net income generator, in part thanks to the exorbitant electricity costs that have been passed on to ratepayers. Perhaps it could generate more income under a different ownership arrangement, but that’s not the point. The point is, the Liberals did not campaign on selling Hydro One and, therefore, do not have a mandate to do so.
The Rule of Law, among other things, is there to deter individuals or groups and government from assuming or exercising powers they do not legitimately possess. That is what this is about.
There is a rally being held in Toronto tomorrow organized by the Facebook group Enough is Enough. We will be protesting the selling of Hydro One as well as high prices and bad management. The rally will be held at Queen’s park at 12:00.
A question then Mr Gaeton. Did you vote for the provincial Liberals and are now disappointed because they are proposing selling off Hydro one or did you vote for a different un named party?
Does one’s propensity to vote for a particular party condemn them to be agreeable to all Party determinations forevermore? Maybe Mr.Gaetan voted other than Liberal. Maybe he did not vote at all. Maybe he voted Liberal and is “disappointed”. Does any of that trump his personal-made-public determination?
You decree that it “is not a good idea to sell off such a key component” and are “aware of the political error”. Should you perhaps divulge where your vote went before compelling Mr. Gaetan to divulge his?
For the record, I think it is important for the readership to know that I have no political affiliations. This is simply a David taking on Goliath type initiative and the press is my metaphorical slingshot, to which I am grateful to for the support.If you agree with me, please sign my petition.
Joe Gaetan
First, I am not that familiar with the revenue that comes from Hydro one.
My gut reaction is that it is not a good idea to sell off such a key component to the Ontario society. Selling it may just lead to more abuse and mismanagement for a key cultural and economic survival factor.
I am aware of the political error but from the way that Mr Gaetan phrases his wording it is clear to me that he does not support the Liberals and probably never did. The electorate knew about this bad decision and elected the Liberals to govern.
Six decimal two billion income over thirteen years is about an average of $476, 000, 000 annual revenue. How can you have a surplus revenue and still be $267 billion in debt? Perhaps, the Gazette would look into this contradiction?
As far as mandates, the Liberals have a majority mandate to act as our elected officials to make decisions. The Liberal party’s platform in 2014 promoted such things as:
Eliminate debt retirement charge on residential electricity bills
• Develop program to reduce electricity bills for low-income families
• Keep Northern Industrial Electricity Rate Program to help businesses reduce energy costs
I didn’t get how they planned on doing this but maybe it was pointed out? Much like the federal Conservatives, governments with majorities get to do what they want. I did not elect a federal government on a mandate to send military to Iraq, Ukraine and support Israel against Palestinians rather than previous government position of neutral peace keepers in the conflict with Palestinians.
The $267 Billion of debt stated in my letter comes from overspending as a result of political promises in general and has accumulated over the years. Please visit the Ontario Financial Authority https://www.ofina.on.ca/borrowing_debt/debt.htm to see for yourself. P.S. debt now stand at$302.2 billion.
Joe