Doug Ford 'proud' of tearing up hundreds of green energy contracts

Premier Doug Ford said Thursday he is "proud" of his decision to tear up hundreds of renewable energy deals, a move that his government acknowledges could cost taxpayers more than $230 million.

Ford dismissed criticism that his Progressive Conservatives arewasting public money, telling a news conference that the cancellation of 750 contracts signed by the previous Liberal government will save cash.

"I'm so proud of that," Ford said of his decision. "I'm proud that we actually saved the taxpayers $790 million when we cancelledthose terrible, terrible, terrible wind turbines that really for the last 15 years have destroyed our energy file."

Later Thursday, Ford went further in defending the cancelled contracts, saying "if we had the chance to get rid of all the windmills we would."

The Progressive Conservatives have said the final cost of thecancellations, which include the decommissioning of a wind farm already under construction in Prince Edward County, Ont., has yet to be established.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath has asked Ontario's auditor general to investigate the contracts and their termination fees. She called Ford's remarks on Thursday "ridiculous."

"Every jurisdiction around the world is trying to figure out how to bring more renewables onto their electricity grids," she said.

"This government is taking us backwards and costing us at the very least $231 million in tearing these energy contracts."