ABOVE: Premier Wynne gets grilled about why her numbers differ from the auditor general’s
TORONTO – Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says she disagrees with a critical assessment by the auditor general on the government’s smart meter program.
In her annual report, auditor general Bonnie Lysyk said the $2-billion program has so far spent double its projected cost, has passed on extra costs to ratepayers and has not led to the government’s electricity conservation goals being met.
Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli strongly disputed the auditor’s conclusions, suggesting her numbers were inaccurate because she didn’t understand the “complex” electricity system.
Asked about Chiarelli’s comments today, Wynne said there’s “no doubt” there is complexity in the energy system.
READ MORE: Highlights from the Auditor General’s report
She says there are costs and pricing associated with smart meters that have not been finalized, so the auditor’s conclusions were based on estimates, with which the Liberals disagree.
Wynne says she also disagrees with the auditor’s report in areas of “government policy,” including Lysyk’s assessment that public-private projects cost $8 billion more than if they had been delivered by the public sector.
Wynne echoed comments made by the infrastructure minister, who said the cost difference was more than offset by the risk of potential cost overruns if the projects were done through the public sector.
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