There’s no transparency in Ford’s cuts to green projects

Re Payouts begin on green projects amid fears bill could top $231M, Nov. 26

As I understand it, Premier Doug Ford’s estimated cost of $231,000,000 to cancel green projects does not include the cost of reinstating or replacing those contracts when the government comes to the inevitable realization that green energy projects are required to meet our binding provincial and national carbon targets; not to mention the simple good sense of proceeding with next-generation energy projects to save the climate for future generations.

The Independent Electrical Systems Operator spokesperson noted the projects are in “early stages,” apparently to spin the idea the costs will remain lower than estimated. That is certainly not the case with respect to the White Pines Wind Project in Prince Edward County, which has at least nine turbines built and ready for operation. They are to be dismantled at an exorbitant unnecessary cost. The auditor (and journalists) may wish to report on an estimate of the completely avoidable reinstatement and replacement costs for the cancelled green energy projects.

Further, Premier Ford won the last provincial election largely on the strength of his “transparency” platform. Without arguing the hypocrisy of the matter, there is no excuse for government secrecy with respect to how the public purse is spent on contract cancellation penalties. Those are our tax dollars given to the government as a trust and we are entitled to know how they are spent. Simon Valleau, Toronto

The Ford government is decimating a renewable energy industry that has huge potential for economic growth. The previous Liberal government invested hundreds of millions to build the industry of the future, from the ground up, and Ford, adhering to his anachronistic mindset, seeks to destroy anything that has the Liberal branding on it.

Thanks to Ford, the renewable energy industry of Ontario has now moved to Alberta. Investments to the industry, like the recent $200 million investment from Warren Buffett for a wind farm, now heads to Alberta. It is ironic that a fossil-fuel-based economy is encouraging the renewable energy industry, while Ontario embraces the old technology of power generation.

The Ford government justifies its action because Ontario is generating more electricity that it needs now. Then the action should be to bring in more business investments to consume the supply of electricity. Is this government focus on economic growth or stagnation?

This decision to kill the renewable energy decision will come back to haunt us in the nottoo-distant future. Salmon Lee, Mississauga

The official website for the province of Ontario states that this government is creating “a more open and transparent government by sharing our data and information.”

The actions of the government of Ontario do not correspond with its words.

During this climate emergency, Premier Doug Ford is taking millions of dollars out of the pockets of hard-working taxpayers to pay for the cancellation of renewable energy projects.

This is an insult to those of us who actually have to pay for Ford’s decision on renewable energy. The premier refuses to provide information on how he reached the conclusion that these projects would cost $790 million. In addition, Ford refuses to disclose how much the cancellation costs will be. This is contrary to how Ford says his government will work.

Ford has called in auditors to examine the books of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation saying that; “If there’s one thing I won’t tolerate its people wasting taxpayers’ money.” What’s good for the OLG ought to apply to the decision to cancel renewable energy projects as well.

Whatever happened to being “open and transparent?” Allan Baker, Scarborough