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Opposition MPP calls out McGuinty over Debt Retirement ChargeBy Dominik Kurekfor release of this tax burden by next year,OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFWilson said.Without explanation they have repeatedlyOntario Progressive Conservatives want topushed back the debt repayment date at aknow why residents are still paying the Debtcost to Ontario families of about $1 billion aRetirement Charge (DRC) on their hydroyear.bills.Furthermore, Wilson added HST is alsoOntario families need to know why theadded to the DRC, which results in the gov-McGuinty government will continue toernment collecting an additional $80 millioncharge them a billion dollars a year plus HSTper year in taxes.for a debt that should have already been paid,He called for a forensic audit of the DRCsor at least paid off by next year, said the MPPand the residual stranded debt to find outfor Simcoe Grey Jim Wilson during anwhat the government is doing with theOakville press conference Monday outside themoney and how much longer the charge willtransformer station on Cornwall Road andbe charged to families.NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER Maple Grove DriveWith each hydro bill, hardworking localTHANK YOU: Ontario PC MPP Jim Wilson staged a press conference in Oakville on Monday Wilson is the Progressive Conservativefamilies are being asked to send more moneyafternoon to discuss Ontario's continuing Debt Retirement Charge.critic for Colleges and Universities, Researchto Queens Park with no explanation as toand Innovation. why the debt remains in place. Could youThe DRC was introduced in 1998 by theimagine getting a credit card bill with no bal-Blame Mike Harris says Flynnprevious PC government to be used to payance on it, just an amount to pay eachdown In a response to MPP Jim Wilsons visit to he wrote in an email.the residual stranded debt of the formermonth? Wilson asked.Ontario HydOakville, the local MPP Kevin Flynn said he Flynn added the Liberal government has ro. The DRC is added to electric-He added the PC caucus brought forwardwas surprised by the PC partys representa-lowered the debt by $5.7 billion.ity bills at a rate of 0.7 cents per kilowatt-a motion in November that would force thehourtive discussion over the debt retirement In contrast, the past Hudak/Harris gov-. Wilson said Oakville families pay onMcGuinty government to reveal how muchaverage about $67-84 per year in DRCscharge.ernment increased the debt by more than .debt remains and how much longer it willThe debI should say that I'm surprised that Jim $1-billion because of their failed energy poli-t was originally to be paid off bytake to pay it off. However, he said the2012, but the McGuintyWilson has the audacity to visit Oakville and cy. To date, $7.8-billion has been collected government recentlyLiberals voted against the motion.announcedtalk about the debt retirement charge when and the amount that has not been used to pay the debt charge would be extend-They expect hard working Oakville fami-edit was the (Mike) Harris government - with down the principal has gone towards paying until as late as 2018.lies to pay this charge every month for six(Tim) Hudak and Wilson in it that slapped the interest on debt and covering the unnec-According to the Ontario Electricityextra years but wont say where this money isFthis charge on the bills of Oakville families as essary cost of the Hudak-Harris govern-inancial Corporation, Ontario families havegoing. They try to turn the debt retirementaa result of the Harris-Hudak government's ment's rate freeze when they deregulated lready paid $7.8 billion during the past eightcharge into a permanent tax grab.years and theyfailed restructuring of the electricity sector, power, Flynn added. should be right on schedulewww.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, February 3, 2011 8