The Ontario Hydro Critic and Hastings Prince Edward MPP Todd Smith was vocal at Queen’s Park today on the Canadian Union of Public Employees suing the Ontario government over the sale of Hydro One.
CUPE president Fred Hahn says the union’s lawyers served the Ministry of the Attorney General on Tuesday with notice of intent to sue.
CUPE claims the Liberals inappropriately mixed government and party business by holding fundraisers with cabinet ministers for up to $10,000 a plate, including one attended by bankers who profited from the sale of Hydro One shares.
MPP Smith asked for the Premier to reprimand the ministers, pointing to lawsuits over feuds with doctors, teachers and the cancellations of gas plants.
The Liberals say the money raised from the privatization of Hydro One is needed to fund public transit and infrastructure projects and to pay down debt.
Ontario’s Minister of Energy Glenn Thibeault said the Integrity Commissioner looked into the matter and confirmed there was no wrong doing, adding the infrastructure projects will lead to new jobs, more investments and economic activity.
The Liberals plan to sell up to 60% of the huge utility, which also serves as a local electricity distribution company for 1.3 million homes, mainly in remote and rural parts of Ontario.
