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Tory energy policy must put consumers first says HudakBy Angela Blackburn providing consumers with a choiceOAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFregarding flat rate or Time of Use (TOU)billing.Ontario PC Party Leader Tim HudakThe first rule is, when youre in a hole,promised an energy policy that puts con-you stop digging, said Hudak.sumers first during a pit stop in Oakville onHe said Oakville families have seen hydroMonday.rates go up 75 per cent and if they have aIn January, its usually the credit card billSmart Meter, more than 100 per cent.that Oakville families are afraid to open whenIt will get worse predicted Hudak.it arrives in the mail after Christmas, butHe said local families will be paying annow its the hydro bill that sits on the kitchenestimated $732 more a year in hydro overtable, said Hudak, during a southwest GTAthe next five years.tour Monday with stops in Mississauga,Even Ontario Premier Dalton McGuintyOakville, Burlington and Hamilton. has forecast the rates will rise another 46 perWe would treat energy as an economic,cent over the next five years, said Hudak.not a social, program, said Hudak at theAnd knowing Dalton, hes probably low-Maple Grove Drive transformer station inballing, quipped the Tory leader.Oakville Monday morning.Saying McGuinty is treating SmartWe must place the consumers ability toMeters as tax machines, Hudak said fami-pay at the forefront of all energy sector deci-lies with four kids cant get them all show-RIZIERO VERTOLLI / OAKVILLE BEAVER sions and respect that they pay the bills, saidered by 7 a.m. and seniors cant always doHudak.the laundry at 11 oclock at night.POWER PITCH: Ontario PC Party Leader Tim Hudak held a press conference outside theHydro must be affordable for familiesOntarios PCs, if elected, would giveMaple Grove Drive transformer station Monday to pitch his partys energy policy Monday.who pay the bill, said Hudak. We will placehydro customers the choice to make gainsmust also be more affordable and reliable lemons and then sell lemonade for a nickel,consumers at the forefront of every energyby using TOU or accepting a flat hydro rate,not a one-size-fits-all tax grab.said Hudak.decision we make.said Hudak.The Ontario PC Leader has been ham-Standing amid the snow and in bitingHe said his party would achieve lowerWhen asked if forcing hydro rates upmering McGuinty for making life morecold temperatures, Hudak said he believesbaseload prices and bring down skyrocket-makes way for green energy, Hudakexpensive, in some cases, too expensive, forskyrocketing hydro costs are a key issue ofing hydro bills by:responded, There are a number of optionsfamilies, seniors and businesses.concern to Oakville families, seniors and developing emissions-free nuclearfor renewable energy. He was scathing in his criticism ofbusinesses and are forcing fixed-income sen-energy;Nuclear power is also emissions-free,Daltons green energy experiments andiors to choose between buying groceries and eliminating subsidies to foreign compa-he added.said the attached costs and subsidies, likepaying the hydro bill and raising thenies like Samsung for green energy projects Hudak said energy must be clean, but itthat being paid to Samsung, are unaccept-prospect of small businesses laying offable.employees, closing the doors and turningAny kid knows you dont pay 80 cents forthe lights off for good.Clean energy comes with a pricecounters Ontario energy ministerBy Angela BlackburnMaple Grove Drive transformer station MondayOAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFmorning.Tim Hudak is trying to hoodwink familiesIt didnt take long for Ontario Energyinto believing that somehow well get cleanerMinister Brad Duguid to get fired up overenergy without making an investment in it,Ontario PC Party Leader Tim Hudaks Mondaysaid Duguid.press conference in Oakville that criticizedThe minister said Hudak opposes the 10 perprovincial hydro rates and green energy proj-cent break the Liberal government has offeredects.hydro consumers for the next five years.Duguid was quick to jump to the defence ofWe think hes trying to say that we can havehis ministrys record, Premier Dalton McGuintyit all for free, said Duguid.and the Liberal government.Tim Hudak says a lot of things that dontThe minister told The Oakville Beaverin amake a lot of sense, said Duguid, noting thetelephone interview Monday afternoon that heMike Harris Conservatives, that includedbelieved Ontario families would see throughHudak, bumped up use of coal in energy pro-the shiftiness of Hudak and the Ontario PCduction by 127 per cent.Party on the issue.Duguid said the Ontario PCs answer toHudak had made the statements at thepower generation is dirty coal.Full Delivery: Sport Chek, Rona, Shopping News, Partial Delivery: InsideRealty Leaders, JYSK, XS Cargo, Kinetico, Opinion............................................6Staples Business, QSI, Home Depot, Henrys CameraArtscene.........................................21For home delivery & customer service call (905) 845-9742 Mon., Tues. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed., Thu.,Wheels...........................................24and Fri. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sports.............................................26(open for calls only after 5 p.m.) Closed Sat. and Sun. 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