THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay residents teamed up with the Keep Hydro Public coalition today to engage their neighbours in the fight to stop the sell-off of one of our most critical public assets.
“More than 87 percent of Thunder Bay residents strongly oppose the provincial government’s plan to sell off majority shares in Hydro One. They know it means their bills will get even bigger and the government will lose the ongoing revenue that they need for the public services we count on,” said Jules Tupker, a retiree and local activist. “It’s going to be our seniors living on fixed incomes who are hit the worst.”
Residents from across the city gathered at St. Paul’s United Church before heading out to canvass and leaflet door-to-door. Campaign materials remind constituents that 70 percent of Hydro One is still owned by the people, and it’s not too late to Keep Hydro Public.
Leaflets and posters call on Liberal MPPs Mike Gravelle and Bill Mauro to stand up for the people they represent and let the Premier know hydro privatization is not in our best interest.
“We elect our MPPs to represent us. If they’re voting to privatize our hydro system, then they’re not listening to me or any of my neighbours,” said Heather Stowell, a member of Thunder Bay’s Council of Canadians. “If they’re not going to listen then they need to understand they won’t have a job after the next election.”
“Many people in Thunder Bay are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet,” said Tupker. “If the cost of electricity goes up that will make things even harder, but the effect will be multiplied ten-fold. Everything relies on electricity in our society and the cost of all our household goods will increase too. People just can’t handle another financial hit. Especially one that can be stopped.”
“We know the vast majority of the people in our community oppose hydro privatization,” said Stowell. “We just need to turn that opposition into action to stop Premier Wynne from making a huge mistake that will be extremely detrimental to our daily lives.”
The Keep Hydro Public campaign is supported by more than 20 community, labour, environment, anti-poverty and student organizations.
Find out more about the campaign at KeepHydroPublic.ca.
