Costs, Documents Tackled at Gas Plant Hearings
The cost to cancel the Oakville gas plant could be at least ten times what the Liberal government is claiming.
That's from an Ontario Power Authority (OPA) executive, who testified at the hearings looking into the matter Tuesday afternoon.
The Liberals knew there were some blanks to be filled in when it comes to cost, according to OPA VP JoAnne Butler. She says the $40 million being cited are sunk costs - ones which cannot be recovered.
Butler adds the province knew relocating the plant could cost anywhere between $319-476 million beacuse of gas connections alone. As for if the Liberals were at the table, she says both Minister of Energy officials and staff from the Premier's office spoke with the company in charge of building the plant.
The province has been pointing fingers at the OPA, which is says was in charge of cancellation costs.
This comes as a senior public servant says more documents exist in relation to both the Mississauga and Oakville gas plant cancellations.
A surprised Tory energy critic Vic Fidelli heard testimony which supported what opposition had been claiming all along.
Secretary of Cabinet Peter Wallace says the reason was because the request made by the committee conducting the hearings was very specific.
Wallace underlines whatever information opposition parties say was left out of the documents which were released was redacted because it didn't have to do with the request.
Pointing out he cannot overstep the privilege of cabinet, Wallace says he can only get additional documents - including a minister-signed submission - if the committee requested it.
Over 56,000 documents have already been released.