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Tories accuse 'Jamie West and the NDP' of putting Christmas at risk

Legislature reconvenes to pass law to prevent strike at OPG
west03
(File)

The Progressive Conservative government is taking an aggressive approach to preventing a strike at Ontario Power Generation, accusing the NDP – and individual MPPs – of jeopardizing Christmas by opposing the back-to-work legislation.

In an email entitled "Jamie West and the NDP to put Christmas season at risk," the Tories say opposing their bill will impact “Sudbury families, seniors, job-creators, hospitals, long-term care homes all depend on electricity in cold winter months.

“The Ontario PC Government for the People is showing strong, decisive leadership by immediately calling back the Legislature to put an end to strike action from the Power Workers’ Union that jeopardizes Northern Ontario power supply over the Christmas season,” the release said.

“However, over the weekend, Jamie West’s NDP promised to use 'whatever tools we have at our disposal' to delay emergency back-to-work legislation that prevents rolling blackouts and brownouts that will come with strike action at our nuclear power plants and hydroelectric facilities.”

In response, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says the Tories are tabling a back-to-work bill before there's a strike, undercutting collective bargaining.

Deputy NDP Leader Sara Singh told the Toronto Star that Premier Doug Ford ended any chance at a negotiated settlement when his government announced its intentions. 

“The premier maybe spoke too quickly,” Singh said. “We will do what is necessary to fight this piece of legislation. We’re going to do what we can and use whatever tools we have at our disposal.”

Horwath said Ford had other options, but “went straight to the biggest hammer available, which is back-to-work legislation.” 

The province said Friday it would recall the Legislature after OPG's 6,000 workers voted against the latest contract offer.

The organization that manages Ontario’s power system has said a strike at OPG would put the system’s reliability at risk.

“The shutdown of OPG’s nuclear and hydroelectric facilities could occur in approximately three weeks. At that point Ontario would not have the generation needed to meet consumer demand and customers would begin losing power,” the Independent Electricity System Operator said in a statement Friday.

In their release, the Tories said OPG produces more than 50 per cent of Ontario’s electricity, “meaning a prolonged strike would devastate Northern Ontario’s economy and the services Sudbury residents depend on. Small-businesses, hospitals, long-term care homes, and child care facilities depend on access to a reliable supply of power.”

Because the government can't get unanimous support to pass the bill, it's expected to take until Thursday before it's approved.


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