Ombudsman has harsh words for Hydro One

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Ontario Ombudsman Andre Marin calls it a matter of urgent public interest. “I think these notices are a case of public servant lying to the public”. Mr. Marin says his office has received nearly 100 complaints that Hydro One has sent notices threatening to cut off power to customers who haven’t paid their bills during one of the coldest winters in recent memory. He says the utility admitted the threats were empty “all these notices have to say is we do not suspend electricity services from Nov 1st to March 31st”

But instead, Hydro One revised their disconnection letters to warn people their power may be cut off “depending on weather conditions.”

When asked if he would personally tell Hydro One to stop sending the letters, Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli responded. “It’s not my role as minister to interfere with the Ombudsman. Hydro One is in the process of working with the Ombudsman on a letter that is satisfactory to be sent out.”

NDP leader Andrea Horwath once again called for Mr. Chiarelli’s resignation. “The whole file is a mess in the province and has been for a long time whether it’s smart meters, whether it’s Hydro One.”

The letters are a small portion of the more than 10-thousand complaints received by the Ombudsman’s office since it launched an investigation 13 months ago. Other complaints include customers being billed up to 20-thousand dollars when they owe closer to 100. Mr. Marin says many of these cases have been resolved after working with Ombudsman’s office.

Since this afternoon’s press conference Hydro One has tweeted they would like to sit down with the Ombudsman and write the disconnection letter to his satisfaction. The full report is expected to be released in the coming months.