Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski is weighing in on the province’s Throne Speech and its politically calculated nature.
Yakabuski says proroguing the government and hitting the reset button won’t be enough to address the major issues the riding and the province faces.
He says the new hydro rebate will equal to about $130 a year off of the average household’s energy costs however, in November rates are set to go up again and the Cap and Trade System charges begin in January 2017 – the same time as the new rebate.
Yakabuski says it’s not a solution to rising energy costs and come January 2017, Ontarians will be paying more for hydro even with the rebate.
Indigenous issues were conspicuously absent from the speech.
He says he’s concerned in the vagueness surrounding the refocus on education as it could be taking a back seat to rising energy costs and whether support will be coming in the form of either funding or programs.