Wynne defends Hydro One sale

Premier Kathleen Wynne is defending the partial sale of Hydro One, insisting there will still be oversight once the government sells off up to 60 per cent of the crown corporation.

Several provincial oversight agencies raised red flags last week, saying Hydro One would become exempt from things like government audits if it was partially privatized.

NDP leader Andrea Horwath has also expressed concerns about Hydro One not being accountable to the ombudsman, auditor general, and freedom of information laws once private investors become involved.

Ontario’s ombudsman has raised a number of concerns about billing practices at Hydro One over the past year.

But the premier says companies have their own oversight mechanisms and a Hydro ombudsman will be put in place.

Wynne is in Washington today to discuss the need to improve infrastructure and fight climate change.