The bottom line is that Frame and other critics of the plan seem to think that electricity policy alone is what determines the survival of Ontario industry. It’s an important component, but the price on a bill doesn’t reflect other programs and initiatives in place to help alleviate the economic strain. Sure, looked at in isolation it may seem scary, and it’s easy to criticize something in isolation of other facts, but it’s not constructive to the debate…
Historically there have always been U.S. states and Canadian provinces with lower — in some cases much lower — electricity rates. Have we seen a mass exodus of industry into Quebec, or Manitoba, or Wyoming? No, because electricity rates are one of many factors that are weighed by companies. Ontario is still very much competitive with many of the states that count, including Michigan and Pennsylvania, and we’re far cheaper than New York State, New Jersey and California. The claim that our industries are going to pick up and run is scaremongering.
