As the governing Liberals gear up for an all-out advertising blitz to promote a 25-per-cent reduction in hydro rates this year, they are under fire for jumping the gun with radio ads.Both the opposition Progressive Conservatives and New Democrats complain the commercials that began airing Friday are in contempt of parliament because the new rate cut has not yet been approved officially.“This Liberal government has no business in possibly spending millions of hard-earned taxpayer dollars on self-promoting hydro ads,” PC Leader Patrick Brown said Monday.“They are blatantly partisan and they are littering radio stations and social media in a sad attempt to save this government’s falling popularity,” fumed Brown, who is expected to unveil his party’s plan for hydro relief within weeks.NDP Leader Andrea Horwath blasted “the self-serving, partisan radio ads” that are coming months before bills are to be lowered in June.“Not one dime has come off the skyrocketing hydro bills and this premier has not tabled a plan yet, nor even any legislation yet to show Ontarians what their money is going to be spent on, or if they are even going to save any money in the future,” said Horwath.“But she is still spending more money on advertising, claiming that the problem has been solved,” she added.Premier Kathleen Wynne was unrepentant about the two radio spots, which include the line “we’ve heard you,” a reference to the furor over skyrocketing rates.The Liberal government is cutting hydro rates by 25 per cent. They will be held at inflation for at least the next four years.“We have a plan that actually will reduce people’s electricity bills and will reduce those bills by the summer,” said Wynne.“Substantial relief: 25 per cent on average off all bills across the province for residents who pay for electricity in their homes and further relief for peopl ...
|