VANCOUVER – There was a heated exchange in Question Period Wednesday afternoon over hydro rates.
NDP finance critic Carole James and Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett got involved in an debate about the escalating cost to the consumer.
BC Hydro was in the news on Wednesday for the ILM Transmission Project. It is now a year behind schedule, and an original budget of $600 million is now $725 million. Steel used in the project by the original contractors were below standard, forcing Hydro to take responsibility for sections of work.
In Question Period on Thursday, James criticized the rising cost for the consumer due to BC Hydro’s decisions.
“The minister neglected to mention that there’s money coming out of the pockets of hardworking British Columbians to pay for this mismanagement,” she said. “Twenty-eight per cent increase, Madame Speaker. Twenty-eight per cent increase over the next five years in hydro and that’s after the increases that are already there.”
James said Bennett needs to own up to the level of mismanagement and fix it.
Bennett responded by saying the need to make the level of investment in infrastructure is necessary and the money has to come from somewhere.
“Government and BC Hydro have done their part to take pressure off rates,” said Bennett. “Government literally has agreed to take tens of millions of dollars in dividends, Honourable Speaker. The government is going to take over $100 million less. BC Hydro has reduced their operating costs by $391 million over three years.”
“They have also agreed to keep their operating costs down to less than one-half of the inflation rate, in terms of annual increases.”
Bennett said rates are going up, but they are still the third-lowest residential rates in North America.
– With files from Justin McElroy
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