Toronto Hydro cuts nine in management

Toronto Hydro has let go nine management staff in the wake of an unfavourable ruling from the Ontario Energy Board.

The nine follow in the wake of two vice presidents who were let go in January, as well as the termination of 700 or more employees working for contractors doing Toronto Hydro projects.

The nine management staff all departed this week.

Toronto Hydro has been reeling after the Ontario Energy Board turned down its application to spend about $580 million a year for the next three years renewing its system.

The board said Toronto Hydro needs to become more efficient.

“We’ve heard the message,” said Toronto Hydro spokesperson Tanya Bruckmueller.

“Customers have weighed in. They want us to become more efficient and this is unfortunately one of the ways that we’re doing that.”

Toronto Hydro and the energy board disagree sharply over magnitude of the spending cuts that Toronto Hydro must make. But Bruckmueller said these would be necessary under any interpretation of the energy board decision.

Toronto Hydro has asked the energy board to review its decision, but no date has been set to hear the review.

The company has warned that if the decision is not changed, it will have to lay off up to 350 staff.