NDP wants auditor general to investigate Ontario's cancellation of renewable energy contracts

Ontario's auditor general should look into the cancellation of hundreds of renewable energy contracts by the Doug Ford government so the public knows how much that decision will end up costing taxpayers, the leader of the Opposition said Wednesday.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said she was concerned the final cost of cancelling 750 contracts could surpass the $231 million theProgressive Conservative government said it has put aside.

In a letter to auditor general Bonnie Lysyk, the Oppositionleader asked the legislative watchdog to launch an investigation into the contracts' termination fees.

The NDP first reported the cost of the cancellations Tuesday, saying the $231 million figure was listed as "other transactions" in government documents detailing spending in the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

"This lack of transparency is concerning," Horwath wrote in theletter.

'Ontarians are left to wonder'

"Without a detailed explanation of the full costing of these cancelled contracts, Ontarians are left to wonder what will be the extent of the costs of decommissioning and termination of thepower purchase agreements."

The Progressive Conservatives acknowledged Tuesday that the cancellations could cost taxpayers more than $230 million, but said the final figure, which includes the cost of decommissioning a wind farm already under construction in Prince Edward County, Ont., has yet to be established.

They have an obligation, as the government in power, to havethe auditor general give the public a true representation of what their cancelling of contracts is going to cost- NDP Leader Andrea Horwath

Horwath said she fears the costs could escalate, as they did whenthe previous Liberal government cancelled two gas plants set for construction just outside of Toronto in 2011.

At that time, the Liberals said the cost of scrapping those deals was approximately $230 million, but the province's auditor generallater established that taxpayers were on the hook for $950 million.

"They have an obligation, as the government in power, to havethe auditor general give the public a true representation of what their cancelling of contracts is going to cost," Horwath said Wednesday.

AG's office reviewing Horwath's request

Energy Minister Greg Rickford said cancelling the contracts lastyear was the "appropriate and responsible" thing to do because the province doesn't need the power.

Lysyk's office confirmed it has received and is reviewingHorwath's request. The auditor is not legally required to
investigate.

Interim Liberal Leader John Fraser said the government has repeatedly said it has faith in the auditor's office, so it should stand behind those statements in this instance as well.

Green party Leader Mike Schreiner said the auditor can providethe transparency required to clear the air on the controversial file.

"We need the government to be honest with the people of Ontario what the costs of cancelling contracts is going to be," he said.