The October 6, 2011 Provincial Election focused on energy and economy.
Basically, voters were given three options:
- Proceed with energy/economy decisions and choices already legislated;
- Halt all renewable energy contracts and start all over again;
- Honour commitments already made and rethink the whole package.
Problems came with every option.
- Certain sections of the Ontario population, notably rural areas, were not happy, in fact were very angry, with energy/economy decisions and choices made at the provincial level;
- Terminating contracts with multi-national super power organizations could cost the taxpayer even more in default charges and lawsuits;
- Re-thinking the whole package would require a critical review of and amendment to the Green Energy, Green Economy Act, 2009.
Essentially voters said that they wanted:
- Affordable electricity;
- Local authority to determine renewable energy projects in their areas;
- Enforcement of Environmental and Endangered Species Acts which could be superseded by the Green Energy, Green Economy Act 2009;
- Laws and regulations which supported the needs and wishes of rural Ontario;
- Environmental and economic assessment of the impact renewable energy projects before contracts were awarded and finalized.
Before the election, politicians approached the people of Ontario. After the election, the people must keep the lines of communication open.
Only by letting our elected parliamentary representatives know what we want and by keeping the issues that affect us before them on a regular basis, can we ensure that there is no disconnect between the politicians and their constituents.
Please use the political contact information under the Downloads section to keep our Members of Parliament, Provincial and Federal, and our Municipal leaders in touch with the grass roots power of the people. Ask questions; demand answers. Connect.