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Pullquote: 43% of business owners said electricity costs ‘delayed investments and prevented ‘hiring new employees’

Another question asked about time-of-use (TOU) electricity pricing and whether their business had been able to change its consumption hours to “manage electricity costs.” In three years (November 2013 to November 2016), the on-peak TOU rate has increased 45 per cent. As one would expect, with most businesses operating during peak hours, it is easy to see why only four per cent of respondents said they could shift their power use.

A further question dealt with an issue the Wynne-led government has focused on. The premier’s letter of Oct. 13, 2013 promised “Our Open Government initiative will help create the transparent, accessible government that the people of Ontario deserve.” The specific question posed to the CFIB’s Ontario members was headlined, “Billing Transparency Needed” and asked “How difficult is it to understand the charges on your business’s hydro bill?” More than half, or 56 per cent, said it was somewhat or very difficult to understand the charges.

What this survey should tell the government is that its actions have neglected more than 400,000 small- and medium-sized businesses employing as many as five million Ontarians. It suggests the government cannot pick winners and shouldn’t hand out grants without considering ensuring Ontario’s many small and medium sized businesses are operating with competitive energy prices. It underscores why Ontario has become a “have not” province.

What’s happening to Ontario businesses today makes it clear the time has come to rescind the Green Energy and Green Economy Act, cancel the addition of more unreliable and intermittent renewable energy, cease spending on conservation and remove the indirect taxation and social programs embedded in the electricity sector.

Ontario’s existing businesses aren’t asking for the government’s money or mentorship; they simply want their hydro costs to be “affordable, predictable and stable!”

Parker Gallant is a former bank executive who looked at his electricity bill and didn’t like what he saw.

Editor’s Note:A previous version of this article incorrectly referred to an investment by ScaleUp Ventures Inc.