Hudak calls for non-confidence motion over cancelled gas plants

TORONTO – Tim Hudak’s Progressive Conservatives will attempt to table a non-confidence motion on two cancelled gas plants in the Greater Toronto Area.

The Tories plan to introduce the motion Monday, citing the hefty price tag for the cancelled plants.

“I want Ontarians to have confidence in the government,” Hudak said. “We are going to hold this Liberal government to account.”

Earlier this month, Ontario’s auditor general reported the cost of scrapping the Mississauga gas plant in mid-construction, just days before the 2011 election, was $275 million, not the $190 million the Liberals had been claiming.

“We will table this motion today, the Liberals have crossed the line,” Hudak said. “Let’s have the vote.”

Under Ontario’s rules, which differ from the federal parliament and most provinces, the government would have to consent before the non-confidence motion could be called for a vote.

The auditor is also investigating the 2010 cancellation of an even larger gas plant planned in Oakville, which the government says cost $40 million. The report on that project isn’t expected until August.

Later this week, Wynne will appear before the legislature’s justice committee to testify under oath about the Liberal government’s decisions to scrap planned gas plants.

–with files from The Canadian Press