Small businesses welcome hydro relief; call for open dialogue to stem future
increases

TORONTO, Nov. 18 /CNW/ - The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) welcomes today's announcement by the Ontario Government to provide small businesses with much needed relief from rising hydro bills. In a recent CFIB survey of nearly 3,400 small businesses, electricity prices topped the list of provincial policies affecting their ability to earn a living.

"It's clear the worry and frustration being expressed by our members over escalating energy costs is being heard by Queen's Park," said Satinder Chera, CFIB's Ontario vice-president. "While today's announcement is not a permanent solution to rising hydro costs, we are pleased to see the government acknowledging the impact of its energy policies on the province's job-creators".

In a recent meeting with Finance Minister Dwight Duncan, CFIB put forth a 5-point plan to kick-start the provincial economy, including the need to stem rising hydro costs. And, with 87 per cent of small firms feeling they don't believe they're getting the straight goods from the government, Chera states, "We challenged them to overcome this credibility gap by using today's Economic Statement to give small businesses the tools they need to create and retain jobs."

While today's announcement will help in the short-term, the long-term consequences of today's decision are equally important. "Shifting costs from ratepayers to taxpayers is not our preferred solution," added Chera. "One way or another we still pay".

CFIB hopes that today's announcement will lead to an honest and open dialogue on how to balance the long-term integrity of the province's electricity system with the ability of Ontarians to pay for it. "We are therefore calling on the government to build on today's plan by using the upcoming pre-budget consultations to adopt measures that will stem future hikes in hydro," concluded Chera.

As Canada's largest association of small- and medium-sized businesses, CFIB is Powered by Entrepreneurs™. Established in 1971, CFIB takes direction from more than 107,000 members in every sector nationwide, giving independent business a strong and influential voice at all levels of government and helping to grow the economy.

For further information:

To arrange an interview with Satinder Chera, please contact Gisele Lumsden at 416-222-8022 or by email at [email protected]