KAKABEKA FALLS - Despite repeated calls from opposition leaders to do more about the high cost of electricity in the region, and a bribery trial before the courts in Sudbury, the Ontario Minister of Energy says his government has not lost the confidence of the people in the north.
Glenn Thibeault, Ontario Minister of Energy and Member of Parliament for Sudbury, wrapped up a tour of regional power generating stations in the Northwest with a visit to the Kakabeka Falls Generation Station.
“I’ve been touring many of the generating stations that we have and seeing the importance of the role Ontario Power Generation has here in Northwestern Ontario and the important role it plays in our overall energy system,” Thibeault said.
The generating station along the Kaministiquia River in Kakabeka Falls was built in 1906 and although it has undergone some modernization, much of it is just how it looked more than 100 years ago.
“It was another good learning opportunity, seeing an old facility and how it’s utilized in the system,” Thibeault said. “I think it’s a good example of looking at old infrastructure here that we are able to modernize. Hydroelectric is still pretty straight forward. Utilizing and bringing together those two worlds is a great opportunity for us to look at how we are going to continue to meet the needs, especially the power needs for Northwestern Ontario.”
The Ontario government has been under fire from opposition leader, Patrick Brown, who has visited with business owners in Kakebeka Falls last year and most recently in August.
Brown said the north is facing a hydro crisis and that he vows to fight the government’s renewable energy agreements.
But Thibeault said Brown does not even have a plan or any ideas on how to lower rates.
“We’ve actually brought forward a plan that has dropped rates by 25 per cent,” Thibeault said. “We’ve made sure that we are helping 500,000 small businesses and farms reduce their rates as well. On top of that, through the fair hydro plan, there are significant reductions for families and business owners that can utilize many of the programs we have in place.”
Fighting back against criticism from the opposition is not the only battle facing the Ontario Liberal Party. Thibeault is set to testify next week in a Sudbury courtroom where the Ontario Premier’s former deputy chief of staff, Pat Sorbara, and Liberal fundraiser, Gerry Loughheed, are facing allegations of bribery.
Thibeault is in the middle of the scandal after Andrew Olivier was allegedly offered employment by Sorbera and Lougheed so he would step aside as the candidate, allowing Thibeault to run in his place during the 2015 byelection.
Despite the ongoing trial, which saw Premier Kathleen Wynne testifying last week, Thibeault said it does not detract from his work, or the work of the party.
“The premier was here a few weeks ago and I’m here, making announcements, and I know Minister Mauro can continue talking about the announcements we are making as a government to help the people of Northwestern Ontario, Northeastern Ontario, and all across Ontario,” he said.
Thibeault was not able to discuss any specifics of the case while it is before the courts. He is expected to testify next Tuesday and Wednesday.
