Close X
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
ADVT 
National

Kathleen Wynne Defends $9.2 Billion Cost Of Ontario Government's Green Energy Program

The Canadian Press, 10 Dec, 2015 11:06 AM
    TORONTO — Premier Kathleen Wynne is defending the $9.2 billion extra that Ontario electricity ratepayers must fork out for the Liberal government's green energy initiatives.
     
    Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk says consumers are paying that much more for 20-year wind and solar power contracts signed by the Liberals with private generators than they would have under the old procurement system.
     
    The auditor also found Ontario pays three-and-a-half times the price for solar power than the average in the United States, and twice as much for wind power.
     
    Wynne says there's a cost to eliminating coal-fired generation and to adding more clean, renewable energy into the mix, and she believes people should celebrate the fact Ontario has a good, reliable power supply.
     
    She also says getting out of coal has reduced greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, and will help lower health-care costs associated with pollution, especially for kids with asthma.
     
    Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown says Wynne missed the point of the auditor's report, which was that Ontario could have reached the same green energy goals without the extra $9.2 billion cost. 
     
    "I think the government has mishandled this so badly, and because of political interference and mistakes, every Ontarian will pay $12,000 more for electricity," said Brown.
     
    Wynne, who just returned from the climate change talks in Paris, said Ontario is ahead of the curve on climate change, noting Alberta will take 15 years to stop relying on coal to generate electricity.
     
    "You only have to look at other jurisdictions that are struggling with air quality, with particulate matter in their air, with families that don't feel they can let their kids play outside," she said. "I know we weren't in those serious straits, but the face is we have reduced our pollution in this province."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Justin Trudeau Keeps Election Promise In Paris With $300Million-A-Year Clean Tech Commitment

    Justin Trudeau Keeps Election Promise In Paris With $300Million-A-Year Clean Tech Commitment
    PARIS — Canada is promising $300 million a year for research and development on clean energy technology as part of splashy international kickoff to the opening day of the Paris climate conference.

    Justin Trudeau Keeps Election Promise In Paris With $300Million-A-Year Clean Tech Commitment

    Arctic, Non-arctic Nations Hold Talks On Fishing Limits At Top Of The World

    Arctic, Non-arctic Nations Hold Talks On Fishing Limits At Top Of The World
      Canada and other Arctic coast countries are meeting in Washington today with non-Arctic nations.

    Arctic, Non-arctic Nations Hold Talks On Fishing Limits At Top Of The World

    Greens Plan Facebook Video Updates From Paris Climate Conference

    OTTAWA — Green Leader Elizabeth May is working with Facebook Canada to broadcast live video updates from the global Paris climate conference.

    Greens Plan Facebook Video Updates From Paris Climate Conference

    Saskatchewan Projecting $262 Million Deficit As Lower Oil Prices Hit Revenue

    Saskatchewan Projecting $262 Million Deficit As Lower Oil Prices Hit Revenue
    REGINA — Tanking oil prices are forcing the Saskatchewan government to put the brakes on spending.

    Saskatchewan Projecting $262 Million Deficit As Lower Oil Prices Hit Revenue

    Judge In Guy Turcotte Murder Trial Cautions Jury Against Public Opinion Of Case

    Judge In Guy Turcotte Murder Trial Cautions Jury Against Public Opinion Of Case
    SAINT JEROME, Que. — The judge presiding over the first-degree murder trial of ex-Quebec doctor Guy Turcotte is cautioning the jury against being influenced by public opinion on the case.

    Judge In Guy Turcotte Murder Trial Cautions Jury Against Public Opinion Of Case

    International Climate Negotiations Are The Key To Global Peace, Says Francois Hollande

    International Climate Negotiations Are The Key To Global Peace, Says Francois Hollande
    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is among the 151 national representatives at the two-week negotiations that aim to complete a binding framework for post-2020 emissions reductions.

    International Climate Negotiations Are The Key To Global Peace, Says Francois Hollande