The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Liberals now eager to reveal gas plant cancellation cost by Rob Ferguson Toronto Star 11 | Wednesday, April 24, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com The minority Liberal government is suddenly eager to reveal a figure on the true costs of scrapping an Oakville power plant -- officially put at $40 million -- before the 2011 election. In an abrupt change of strategy following last week's damaging report from Ontario Auditor General Jim McCarter on higher-than-expected costs for scrapping a similar plant in Mississauga, Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli wants the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) to come forward with a number. "Our commitment is to be open and transparent," Chiarelli said in a letter to the legislative committee investigating the scandal over the power plants, in which opposition parties charge the actual costs were covered up for political gain. "The OPA will be in a position to share their current estimate of longer-term costs and savings associated with the relocation of the Oakville plant." Critics have long said the $40 million figure is an artificially low number, with some OPA staff and energy industry insiders putting the cost at $600 million or more. McCarter's report last week found the cost to scrap the Mississauga power plant, a promise made with less than two weeks to go in the fall 2011 election campaign, was $275 million -- 45 per cent more than the $190 million claimed. Although sources said an Oakville figure has been available to Chiarelli's office since at least Monday, the government wants OPA chief executive Colin Andersen to deliver the news before the committee of MPPs tomorrow (Wednesday). Just last week, Chiarelli and Premier Kathleen Wynne were insisting the auditor general's office not be "pre-empted" by other estimates before its report on Oakville is ready in September. That reasoning suddenly changed over the weekend, following days of damaging comments from the Progressive Conservatives and New Democrats on costs for Oakville. McCarter testified before the committee last week the OPA and Ministry of Energy should have the expertise to come up with a figure. Opposition parties appeared wary of the offer to have the OPA's Andersen testify before the committee Wednesday -- requiring an extra session that was not scheduled -- even though they have long demanded a true accounting of the costs and insisted Chiarelli could provide a more accurate number. Progressive Conservative MPP Vic Fedeli (North Bay), his party's energy critic, called the offer "a bit unusual." Wynne has acknowledged the plants were cancelled in "politically motivated" decisions to save Liberal seats heading into the 2011 election, which reduced her predecessor to a minority. Former energy ministers Chris Bentley, who retired from politics in February, and Brad Duguid, now Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, testified at the committee yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon. TAKE DELIVERY BY MAY 15TH MENTION W IN O DW E IN CODE M EN TIC O N TKR253 T K R 2 5 3 TKR2443 100% MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE ORDER SECURELY ONLINE AT BigYellowBag.com T KR253 TKR2443 Enter the win code at BigYellowBag.com for your chance to WIN a BigYellowBag OUR SCHOOL. THOSE OTHER SCHOOLS. AT TFS, WE UNDERSTAND that our children's education travels with them for the rest of their lives, influencing how they view the world and act towards others. It is precisely why we have been offering true international programs and perspectives for over 50 years, in a bilingual, co-educational learning environment that celebrates diversity. Our academic excellence and rigour match up with the highest standards found anywhere ­ with all our graduates carrying International Baccalaureate diplomas, ready to help shape the global community. www.tfs.ca Please join us at our next Open House: Mississauga Campus at QEW/Cawthra PK (Age 3) to Grade 7 May 16, 5:00 p.m. ­ 6:30 p.m. RSVP Admissions: (416) 484-6533 ext. 4247