37 Cities Pass Motions On The Hydro File
Thirty-seven cities have already passed motions calling on the Province to remove HST on Hydro and ensure that any increase in rates does not exceed inflation. Many more have promised to pass similar motions when the new Council is elected.
Enclosed Motion
Was Adopted By
http://www.stthomastimesjournal.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2829461&auth=KYLE%20REA%20TIMES-JOURNAL
Enclosed Motion
Was Adopted By Town of
That Council of the Town
of Iroquis Falls hereby supports the attached
resolution submitted by the Municipal Taxpayer
Advocacy Group regarding the following:
1)
removal of
PST on the Hydro HST bill
2)
increases in Hydro rates
3)
municipal consultation; and
4)
the 7 billion Samsung Contract
Enclosed Motion
Was Adopted By The
Whereas increase in Hydro rates has been brought to Council’s attention as a major concern by Township residents,
Whereas overhead costs
are rising at Ontario Power Authority, Ontario Power
Generation, Hydro One, Independent Electricity
System Operator, Ontario Energy Board, Ontario
Electricity Financial Corp and Ontario Hydro.
Be it resolved that this
Council send a letter to the Premier of Ontario and
the Ontario Minister of Energy asking for the
removal of the PST portion on the Hydro HST bill.
Be it resolved that this
Council send a letter to the Premier of Ontario and
the Ontario Minister of Energy asking that any
increase in Hydro rates does not exceed the rate of
inflation.
Be it resolved that this
Council send a letter to the Premier of Ontario and
the Ontario Minister of Energy, Ontario Minister of
the Environment asking that municipalities be
consulted in drafting waste to energy policies and
choosing locations for windmills.
Enclosed Motion
Was Adopted By
THAT, in response to the
request of the Municipal Taxpayer Advocacy Group,
the Premier of Ontario be requested to take the
necessary action to exempt utilities from HST.
Enclosed Motion
Was Adopted By
THAT we support the
resolution from the Municipal Taxpayer Advocacy
Group regarding hydro concerns and they be so
advised.
Enclosed Motion
Was Adopted By The
BE IT RESOLVED THAT
Township of the
Enclosed Motion
Was Adopted By Town of
That the Town of Aylmer
Council supports the resolution submitted by the
Ottawa Municipal Taxpayer Advocacy Group about the
hydro rates and hydro policies;
That the Premier of
Ontario, the Ontario Minister of Energy, and the
Ontario Minister of the Environment be asked:
- to remove the PST
portion on the Hydro HST bill
- to ensure that any
increase in Hydro rates does not exceed the rate of
inflation
- to ensure that
municipalities be consulted in drafting waste to
energy policies and choosing locations for windmills
That the Minister of
Industry be asked to publish the results of the
Competition Bureau investigation of the 7 billion
Samsung Contract; and further;
That the local MPP Steve
Peters be provided with a copy of this resolution.
Enclosed Motion
Was Adopted By
That the Council of the
Township of Armour support the position of the
Municipal taxpayer Advocacy Group and petition the
Premier of Ontario and the Ontario Minister of
Energy to remove the PST portion of the HST on hydro
bills; that any increase in Hydro rates exceed the
rate of inflation; and that municipalities be
consulted in drafting waste to energy policies and
choosing locations for windmills.
Enclosed Motion
Was Adopted By
That we, the Council of
the Township of Casey do hereby, agree with the
Municipal Taxpayer Advocacy Group and request the
Premier of Ontario and the Ontario Minister of
Energy to remove the HST portion of the Hydro bill
and to limit any increase in Hydro rates so that it
does not exceed the rate of inflation.
Enclosed Motion
Was Adopted By
Be it resolved that
Council supports the resolution presented by the
Municipal Taxpayer Advocacy Group with regards to
Hydro Rates.
Enclosed Motion
Was Adopted By
WHEREAS The Ontario
Energy Board’s “guiding principal” is to “protect
the interests of consumers with respect to prices
and the adequacy, reliability and quality of
electricity service”;
AND WHEREAS Electricity
demand is falling due the slow economy, yet
electricity rates are rising.
AND WHEREAS the time of
use rates price average of 6.5 cents per kWh, but
the Feed In Tariff program forces consumers to pay
prices of 13.5 to 19 cents per kWh for wind power
and 80 cents per kWh for solar power;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT The
Corporation of the
-public enquiry on the
reasons for a rise in hydro costs, contract and
appointment process, foreign influence on energy
policy;
-2 year freeze of hydro
rates (already gone up 14% this year);
-HST exemption for
utilities (extreme heat or cold can lead to
adverse health effects, including death);
-change laws that prevent
municipalities from aggressively pursuing waste to
energy solutions;
-cancel contracts to buy
energy from any source that costs 10% more than
existing supplies from hydro, nuclear, coal or gas;
-keep coal plants open
until there is sufficient replacement of the
equivalent production capacity;
-ensure any expense on
clear coal technology , wind, solar, other
alternative energy will not result in higher rates
or a higher deficit;
-mitigate 2 billion
dollars spent on smart meters by canceling new
installations and ensuring that the total revenue
from customers do not exceed pre smart meter levels
-reduce administration
costs for the Ontario Energy Board and all energy
related departments by 10%
-
AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that this Council
send this motion to the Premier of Ontario, the
Ontario Minister of Energy and the Federation of
Northern Ontario Municipalities.
Enclosed Motion
Was Adopted By
WHEREAS
WHEREAS NDP Ontario
Leader Andrea Horwath has launched a campaign to ask
WHEREAS other
municipalities have adopted similar resolutions;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT
Enclosed Motion
Was Adopted By
THAT Huron-Kinloss
Township Council hereby endorses the motion of the
Municipal Taxpayer Advocacy Group and in so doing
requests the Premier of Ontario and the Minister of
Energy to remove the PST portion on the Hydro HST
bill;
AND THAT the Premier of
Ontario and the Minister of Energy ensure any
increase in Hydro rates does not exceed the rate of
inflation;
AND THAT the Premier of
Ontario, the Minister of Energy and the Minister of
the Environment consult municipalities in drafting
waste to energy policies and choosing locations for
windmills;
AND FURTHER THAT the
Minister of Industry publish the results of the
Competition Bureau investigation of the $7 billion
Samsung Contract.
Enclosed Motion
Was Adopted By
Town of
THAT the Council of the
Corporation of the Town of Smith Falls supports the
resolution passed by the Municipal Taxpayer Advocacy
Group and send a letter to the Premier of Ontario
and the Ontario Minister of Energy asking for the
removal of the HST from Hydro bills.
AND FURTHER THAT the
Council of the Corporation of the Town of Smiths
Falls further requests the removal of HST from
heating fuel bills.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED that this Council send a letter to the
Premier of Ontario and the Ontario Minister of
Energy asking that any increase in Hydro and/or
heating fuel rates does not exceed the rate of
inflation and that municipalities be consulted in
drafting waste to energy policies and choosing
locations for windmills.
Enclosed Motion
Was Adopted By
Enclosed Motion Was
Adopted By
That Warwick Township
Council hereby supports the resolution as prepared
by the Municipal Taxpayer Advocacy Group re: the
removal of the PST and HST portions on the hydro
bills and that any increase in hydro rates not
exceed the rate of inflation.
Enclosed Motion Was
Adopted By
Whereas extreme heat or cold
can lead to adverse health effects and Hydro is a sine
qua non for staying alive, municipalities across
Whereas the Hydro file is
primarily a provincial responsibility, some cities own
hydro distribution companies and others have a stake in
the waste to energy policy as an alternative to
landfills and the location of windmills.
Whereas The Federal
Government Department Measurement Canada has warned
Whereas the Competition
Bureau has the responsibility to; Ensure that small and
medium-sized enterprises have an equitable opportunity
to participate in the Canadian economy, Provide
consumers with competitive prices and product choices,
Promote the efficiency and adaptability of the Canadian
economy.
Whereas Hydro in
Whereas current Hydro costs
average of 6.5 cents per kWh and the Province is signing
contracts to supply renewable energy power for as much
as 80.2 cents per kWh.
Whereas overhead costs are
rising at Ontario Power Authority, Ontario Power
Generation, Hydro One, Independent Electricity System
Operator, Ontario Energy Board, Ontario Electricity
Financial Corp, Ontario Hydro.
Be it resolved that this
Council send a letter to the Premier of Ontario and the
Ontario Minister of Energy asking for the removal of the
PST portion on the Hydro HST bill.
Be it resolved that this
Council send a letter to the Premier of Ontario and the
Ontario Minister of Energy asking that any increase in
Hydro rates does not exceed the rate of inflation.
Be it resolved that this
Council send a letter to the Premier of Ontario and the
Ontario Minister of Energy, Ontario Minister of the
Enviroment asking that municipalities be consulted in
drafting waste to energy policies and choosing locations
for windmills.
Be it further resolved that
this Council send a letter to the Minister of Industry
asking them to publish the results of the Competition
Bureau investigation of the 7 billion Samsung Contract.
Enclosed Motion Was
Adopted By Towns of
Enclosed Motion Was
Adopted By Municipality of Meaford on November 22
Be It Resolved That Council of the Municipality of Meaford do hereby agree with the Municipal Taxpayer Advocacy Group and request the Premier of Ontario and the Ontario Minister of Energy to remove the HST portion of the Hydro bill and to limit any increase in Hydro rates so that it does not exceed the rate of inflation.
Enclosed Motion Was Adopted By Township of Faraday on December 1
Be it resolved that the Council of the Township of Faraday does hereby agree with Municipal Taxpayer Advocacy Group and petition the Premier of Ontario and the Ontario Minister of Energy to remove the PST portion of the HST on Hydro Bills; that any increase in Hydro rates not exceed the rate of inflation; and that municipalities be consulted in drafting waste to energy policies and choosing locations for windmills.
Enclosed Motion Was Adopted By Township of Adelaide Metcalfe on December 6
"Please be advised that the Council of the Township of Adelaide Metcalfe, supported the resolution that was adopted by Warwick Township Council for the removal of the PST and HST portions on the hydro bills and that any increase in hydro rates not exceed the rate of inflation.
Enclosed Motion Was Adopted By Township of Limerick on December 7
THAT Council support the resolution from the Municipal Taxpayer Advocacy Group regarding hydro concerns and they be so advised.
Enclosed Motion Was Adopted By City of Vaughan on December 7
WHEREAS the City of Vaughan is part owner of PowerStream, the second largest municipally owned electricity distribution system in Ontario;
AND WHEREAS hydro in the Province in Ontario is the fastest rising consumer necessity cost due to the size of renewable energy contracts, transmission infrastructure investments required to handle renewable energy, the cost and implementation of smart metres, Hydro One acquisitions and the merging of rates;
AND WHEREAS current Hydro costs average 6.5 cents per kWh and the Province of Ontario is signing contracts to supply renewable energy power for as much as 80.2 cents per kWh;
AND WHEREAS increase in Hydro rates has been brought to Council's attention as a major concern by City of Vaughan residents and businesses;
AND WHEREAS other municipalities have adopted similar resolutions;
NOW THEREFORE Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco recommends as follows:
That the City of Vaughan request the Premier of Ontario and the Minister of Energy to remove the PST portion on the Hydro HST bill;
That the City of Vaughan request that the Premier of Ontario and the Minister of Energy ensure any increase in Hydro rates does not exceed the rate of inflation;
That the City of Vaughan request that the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Energy and the Minister of Environment consult municipalities when drafting waste to energy policies and choosing location for windmills; and
That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Energy, the Minister of Environment, the two local MPP's for Vaughan, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Municipal Taxpayer Advocacy Group.
Enclosed Motion Was Adopted By Town of Kearney on December 10
WHEAREAS The Municipal Taxpayer Advocacy Group has forwarded a motion for consideration in support of their endeavour to remove the PST from the Hydro bill, that the rate of increase does not exceed the rate of inflation and that municipalities be consulted in drafting waste to energy policies and choosing locations for windmills; AND FURTHER that this information be conveyed to the Premier of Ontario and the Ontario Minister of Energy by Letter; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Kearney supports this request and wishes the Municipal Taxpayer Advocacy Group well in its endeavour.
Enclosed Motion Was Adopted By Town of North Bay on December 13
WHEREAS the creation of the new HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) modernized our out of date taxation system in Ontario; AND WHEREAS the blending of the Goods & Services Tax (GST) and the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) into the new HST was generally seen as good for business; AND WHEREAS there is one area of concern, especially here in Northern Ontario where we face father travel-distances & colder temperatures: AND WHEREAS the creation of the HST resulted in NEW TAXATION on many items that previously only had GST, as PST was added to these items; AND WHEREAS exemptions as possible and examples of such exemptions were made by the Province coffee, newspapers and some fast food meals; BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the City of North Bay readdress this issue by respectfully requesting the Province reconsider exemption of new taxation items like utilities and gasoline; AND FURTHER that our staff directly contact the larger Northern Ontario Centres (Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins & Thunderbay) and ask them to join in our request; AND FURTHER that we send a request to the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario for their consideration; AND FURTHER THAT our request be sent to Hon Monique Smith, MPP Nipissing; Premier Dalton McGuinty, Ontario Minister of Revenue; Ontario's Minister of Finance, Leaders of the Official Opposition; AND FINALLY THAT a copy be forwarded to the Municipal taxpayer Advocacy Group, as the group has been working on this issue, expressed interest in it, contacted this municipality and others requesting that we continue to support HST exemption for utilities.
Enclosed Motion Was Adopted By Town of Mono on December 13
WHEREAS electricity is an essential commodity for the well being of all residents and businesses across the Province of Ontario;
AND WHEREAS decisions made by the multitude of hydro agencies sanctioned by the Province of Ontario and their action(s) often result in increased costs to the taxpayer, which appear to our constituents to be non-sustainable. The difference between the current rates of 6.5 cents kWh for hydro and new contracts as high as 80.2 cents kWh is daunting;
THEREFORE the Town of Mono requests that the Province of Ontario review all aspects of governance of the electric system, appropriateness of the renewable energy modes and the application of the HST to the users' bills;
AND THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Ombudsman, Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones and AMO (the Association of Municipalities of Ontario)
Enclosed Motion Was Adopted By Town of Cavan Monaghan on January 10, 2011
WHEREEAS hydro rates have increased substantially in recent months and every indication is that these rates will continue to rise at an unprecedented pace, due in part to provisions in the Green Energy Act and implementation of the HST;
AND WHEREAS the time of use rates price average is 6.5 cents per kWh, but the Feed In Tariff program forces consumers to pay 13.5 to 19 cents per kWh for wind power and 80 cents per kWh for solar power;
AND WHEREAS huge increases in electrical rates places a financial burden on many Ontario residents;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Township of Cavan Monaghan hereby requests that:
• Energy bills be exempt from HST
• Any increase in hydro rates does not exceed the rate of inflation
• Municipalities be consulted in drafting waste to energy policies and in choosing locations for wind turbines
• The results of the Competition Bureau investigation of the $7 billion sole sourced non tendered Samsung contract be made public;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT a copy of this resolution be sent to the Premier of Ontario, the Honorable Dalton McGuinty; the Minister of Energy, the honorable Brad Duguid; the Minister of the Environment, the honorable John Wilkinson; the leader of the official opposition, the honorable Tim Hudak; the leader of the NDP, the honorable Andrea Horwath and to Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP, the honorable Rick Johnson.
Enclosed Motion Was Adopted By Village of Sundridge on January 11, 2011
That the Council of the Corporation of the Village of Sundridge supports the resolution submitted by the Ottawa Municipal Taxpayer Advocacy Group about hydro rates and hydro policies;
That the Premier of Ontario, the Ontario Ministry of Energy, and the Ontario Minister of the Environment be asked:
Ø to remove the PST portion on the Hydro Bill
Ø to ensure that any increase in Hydro rates does not exceed the rate of inflation
Ø to ensure that municipalities be consulted in drafting waste to energy policies and choosing locations for windmills
That the Minister of Industry be asked to publish the results of the Competition Bureau investigation of the 7 billion Samsung Contract; and further;
That the local MPP Norm Miller be provided with a copy of this resolution.