Article content continued

But it was the first time any member of the government has conceded that if the New Democrats do kill Site C, ratepayers would be facing a 10 per cent hike with nothing to show for it.

The exchange was one of several where Redies, drawing on her expertise as a former member of the Hydro board and chair of the audit committee, was able to elicit significant information.

Mungall has been chippy during the debates on her ministry budget. Monday she faulted one of the B.C. Liberals for “mansplaining.” Tuesday it was Green Leader Andrew Weaver for being “antagonistic.” And in fairness, she had to adjourn debate Wednesday for what were described as “health reasons.”

But in dealing with Redies, Mungall was respectful, acknowledging her experience at Hydro and praising her for asking good questions.

By way of answers, Mungall said some things that offered more consolations to defenders of B.C. Hydro and Site C than to critics.

She agreed that the vast majority of Hydro capital projects come in under budget. She confirmed that when the B.C. Liberals were defeated on the floor of the house and driven from office at the end of June, Site C was still on time and on budget.

While the NDP is moving to rein in spending at Hydro, Mungall confirmed that in the last four years under the Liberals, operating costs grew by a meagre 1.4 per cent, from $705 million to $715 million.

My personal beliefs … are not a part of this decision. We have to be objective

She further acknowledged that Hydro’s controversial deferral accounts are on track to top out at $5.7 billion in 2019. That same year the utility will no longer pay dividends to the provincial treasury. Both targets were put in place by the Liberals.