TORONTO — A plan by Ontario's Liberal government to sell the province's largest electricity transmission company came under attack from both opposition parties as the legislature resumed Monday.
The Progressive Conservatives and the New Democrats are opposed to the sale of Hydro One, warning it will lead to higher electricity prices.
Premier Kathleen Wynne says the government needs the money from the sale to help fund its $130-billion program for public transit and infrastructure projects.
The Liberals hope to get $9 billion from the partial sale of Hydro One, and would put $4 billion into infrastructure and the rest would be used to pay down hydro debt.
New PC Leader Patrick Brown, who took the oath of office as the new Member of Provincial Parliament for the riding of Simcoe North on Monday, kicked off his first question period asking about Hydro One.
Brown said the Liberals are holding a "fire sale" of an important public asset.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said polls show the vast majority of Ontario voters are opposed to selling 60 per cent of the giant electrical utility.
The New Democrats asked if the Liberals are holding back on the planned sale of Hydro One because they know it will hurt their federal cousins and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau in the campaign for the Oct. 19 election.
CUPE Ontario president Fred Hahn was outside the legislature today handing out cards stating that Hydro One should be kept in public hands.
