Economy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon on Sunday accused the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) of waging a “misinformation campaign” with one of its petitions urging Quebec to quickly cap electricity rates.
” [Cet organisme] is currently carrying out a disinformation campaign concerning the increase in electricity prices. With Bill 2, we limited the rate increase to 3% for Quebecers. To claim otherwise as in the email below is false,” Mr. Fitzgibbon hammered home in a tweet.
He was reacting to a petition circulating online from the FCC, in which it is indicated that “certain groups are pressuring the Legault government to keep Hydro rates at a high level in order to limit your energy consumption”. “You cannot afford a disproportionate increase in your bill.[…|MinisterPierreFitzgibbonmustunderstandthatyourefusetoallowyourelectricityratestoincreaseby64%”wecanalsoreadthere[…|LeministrePierreFitzgibbondoitcomprendrequevousrefusezquevostarifsd’électricitéaugmententde64 % »peut-onaussiylire
Stung to the quick, the Quebec director of the FCC, Nicolas Gagnon, almost immediately retorted to the minister on social networks. “Misinformation campaign is a bit strong. We are only making sure that the government will go ahead with its bill. Because yes, there are groups that oppose price caps. And SMEs will see their prices increase by 6.4%,” he maintained.
At Québec solidaire, the economics critic, Haroun Bouazzi, took advantage of the exchange to reiterate that Mr. Fitzgibbon had nevertheless “decided to increase Hydro rates for Quebecers when they are already higher than the cost of production “.
“You make it a hidden and particularly unfair tax since the less well-off households pay more in proportion to their income”, accused the solidarity, elected in Maurice-Richard in the last general elections.
3%… for residential
It is worth recalling the facts in this case. If passed, Bill 2 would limit Hydro-Quebec’s rate increase for residential customers to 3%. Several other employers’ associations, including the Federation of Quebec Chambers of Commerce and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, have asked that this measure be extended to businesses. Otherwise, the latter will suffer a 4.2% to 6.4% increase in their electricity bill.
The legislative text also aims to no longer oblige Hydro-Québec to accept all supply requests submitted by companies and less than 50 megawatts (MW). It will now be allowed to refuse power requests of 5 MW or more. The state corporation was calling for such a measure because it is overwhelmed with corporate projects requiring a total of 23,000 MW of electricity. This is the equivalent of 13 hydroelectric complexes like La Romaine.
SATURDAY, The Press reported that Marc Tanguay’s Liberals are now asking François Legault to prune “superminister” Fitzgibbon from the new responsibilities he obtained after the election.
The principal concerned had a difficult week, after admitting that he had not read the Hydro-Québec Act, even if he is busy finding a replacement for the president and CEO of Hydro-Québec, Sophie Brochu. SMEs have also made a virulent exit, accusing the government of accentuating their problems in the face of inflation.
As Quebec prepares to appoint a replacement for Sophie Brochu, who will leave the Crown corporation on April 11, the Liberals are asking the government to choose someone who will not be a “yes man” and who will improve the Hydro-Quebec share.
“You need someone who has a solid track record as a manager, who cares about communication, transparency, and who will be ready to answer questions. It doesn’t take a “yes man” at the head of Hydro-Québec, it’s important”, says Marc Tanguay in this sense.
With Tommy Chouinard, The Press