TORONTO, ON – Supporters of the Keep Hydro Public campaign joined Beaches-East York constituents for a rally outside Liberal MPP Arthur Potts’ constituency office on Saturday, December 12. Participants are angry with Potts’ continued support for the Liberal sell-off of Hydro One, despite overwhelming opposition across the province.
“We’ve come together as a movement to stop this privatization because electricity is the heartbeat of our economy and our lives. We need it today and our children will need it tomorrow,” said John Camilleri, himself a hydro worker and a vice-resident of CUPE Ontario, one of the groups supporting Keep Hydro Public.
The recent report from the Auditor General proves that the government needs a better strategy to maintain control over the cost of our electricity system – which may be costing us up to $37 million more that it needs to – through a long-term plan. Further privatization would only reduce government control and deepen the problem, he said.
“All private investors care about is making profit. That profit comes out of all our pockets. On top of that, we’re losing important public oversight and accountability,” he said.
The rally called out Potts for his continued support for the sale, which is opposed by about 85 percent of Ontarians and 194 municipalities.
Participants handed out leaflets encouraging residents to call, write or email their MPP and insist that he speak out publicly against the sale.
“People are already paying too much for electricity, and this sale is bad for our community,” said Camilleri. “If Arthur Potts wants us to vote for him again, he needs to speak up and publicly say, ‘Keep Hydro Public.’”
The Keep Hydro Public campaign is supported by more than 20 community, labour, environment, anti-poverty and student organizations. Find out more about the campaign at KeepHydroPublic.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Craig Saunders
416-576-7316
Katrina Miller
647-272-5024
