Ontario's legislative watchdogs warn against selling Hydro One

Ontario's legislative watchdogs are soundingthe alarmover the provincial government's plan to sell Hydro One.

In a joint statement issued Thursday,Ontario's Independent Officers of the Legislative Assembly said it is "concerned" about the government's ability to "assess value and quality of service" of Hydro One if it only holds 40 per cent of the utility.

Last month, Premier Kathleen Wynne announced it wouldsell off a large chunk ofHydro One 60 per cent in order to funnel money into new projects rather than debt reduction.

The Independent Officers of the Legislative Assemblysay that proposals in the proposal, titled Bill 91, would result in "the Auditor General not being able to conduct performance audits of Hydro One and its subsidiaries,"and that the ombudsman would have no ability to investigate public complaints about Hydro One and its subsidiaries.

They also say that "the Integrity Commissioner would no longer review Hydro One expense claims to ensure prudent spending of taxpayer dollars."

The officers are independent and report to the assembly, not to the government of the day, and provide independent, expert reports and analysis of government operations.

"We take seriously our legislated authority to hold government and provincial agencies and corporations accountable on behalf of the Legislature and all Ontarians," they wrote.

Deputy Premier DebMatthews says the legislative officers will be able to complete any ongoingHydro One reports, but won't be able to start any newinvestigations.

The New Democrats are strongly against the sale and have calledfor more debate and hearings on the budget bill, which makesprovisions for the sale.

"This legislation needs scrutiny," NDP Leader AndreaHorwathsaid. "It needs public input. It needs public hearings and thegovernment's ramming it through in (Prime Minister) Stephen Harperstyle and we are all going to have to pay the price."

Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown called it"historic" that eight independent officers are expressing the sameconcerns.