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Hydro is becoming unaffordable After paying off your mortgage, what would you do if your bank continued to send you a bill? Anyone who pays a hydro bill in Ontario could relate to that kind of outrage-- all because of the Debt Retirement Charge (DRC). In place for approximately eight years, the provincial government has added this charge of between $67 and $84 a year to our hydro bills. Its purpose was to pay off a hydro debt dating back to the 1980s. Known as the residual stranded debt, this debt amounted to $7.8 billion in 2002, and was scheduled to be paid off in 2012. According to the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation, Ontarians have paid $7.8 billion over the past eight years; they should be right on schedule for relief from this burden next year. But that's not likely to happen if the McGuinty Liberals have their way. In fact, they plan to continue collecting it until 2018. And that's on top of the HST, which the Liberals have applied to hydro bills-- including the DRC-- since July 1, 2010. It's also on top of the substantial hydro rate increases of the past few years. And we can expect more of the same in the future.According to the government's own documents, hydro rates are expected to rise over the next five years by about 8 per cent yearly. For many in our communities, that's just unaffordable. Along with the PC caucus, I intend to continue looking for ways to bring those increases down. Ted Arnott In November we brought a motion to force the government to reveal how much longer we'll have to pay the DRC, and how much debt remains to be paid. But the McGuinty government voted to keep that amount hidden. We can only conclude, therefore, that they are trying to turn the DRC into a permanent tax grab. We need to know why the government will continue charging us for a debt that should be paid next year. That's why we are calling for a forensic audit of the DRC and residual stranded debt. We need an honest accounting. That shouldn't be too much to ask, even from a government preoccupied with finding new ways to waste hard-earned tax dollars. I couldn't agree more with last week's Independent & Free Press editorial on the debt retirement charge: "Something is wrong with how hydro is managed in Ontario and it may take a change in government to find out what." --Ted Arnott is the MPP for WellingtonHalton Hills. He can be reached at 1-800265-2366. His website address is www.tedarnottmpp.com SAVE YOUR M VEHICLE FRO ROAD SALT! T KROWN RUS OW!! N L O R T N O C ATE!! L O O T T O N IT'S Call Now! 7 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday, March 15, 2011 GEORGETOWN Call for an appointment today. 354 Guelph St., Unit 21 905.877.1712 A TRUE 4 SEASON TIRE!!! A third generation in Nokian Tyres' unique line of "All-Weather Plus" tires, the new Nokian WRG2 and WRG2 SUV offer the best performance in every season. The shape and siping of the outer shoulder make the tires easy to handle in the most extreme conditions, and are excellent on dry roads, even at high speeds. So while seasons may change, your choice of allweather tires remains the same: Nokian WRG2 and Nokian WRG2 SUV. Severe Service Emblem Noklan Tyres' All-Weather Plus line exceeds the new government standard for tire performance in harsh winter conditions. 905.877.8220 MARCH MADNESS 1 WEEK UNLIMITED TAN ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARTY · Irish Cocktails · Irish Novelties · Irish Dancers featurin g Copy Ca t $ 24.99 Featuring: - Roast Beef - Pork Loin - Sheppard's Pie SERVED SE THURSDAY & FRIDAY 11:30 am to 2:00 pm LUNCH BUFFET MARCH BREAK SPECIAL AESTHETIC SERVICES Come relax this winter, in Halton's most up-lifting Spa. - As Assorted Salads $ - Dessert Table - Tea & Coffee 11.50 HST INCLUDED 1/2 PRICE Private Catering Available ~ LIVE ENTERTAINMENT ~ Fri. & Sat. 9:30 pm - close Relax-It Spa 118 Guelph St., Georgetown 905-702-7740 Power Plant 79 Main Street South, Georgetown 905-877-3388 Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 9 am - 10 pm, Fri. 9 am - 9 pm, Sat. 9 am - 6 pm, Sun. 11 am - 4 pm