Ladies and Gentlemen of Ontario.

WHEREAS Hydro Ottawa is prepared to raise electricity rates to support the upgrade of infrastructure;
WE the undersigned petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

1. To deny Hydro Ottawa an increase in the delivery charge for electricity.

2. Mandate that Hydro Ottawa and all other electrical utilities that produce and provide electricity in the Province of Ontario invest a minimum of 75% of money earmarked for dividends in the improvement of the infrastructure;

3. Distribute the costs of infrastructure improvement equally among all customers since the reliable delivery of electricity in the Province requires that all infrastructure, regardless of location, be functional; and

4. Implement a 5 year freeze on all rate increases.

Hydro Ottawa asking public for feedback on plan, which could see customers paying an additional $120 a year by 2020. Ontario consumers pay some of the highest electrical rates in the Country.

It is indisputable that the current electricity infrastructure in the Province of Ontario must be upgraded to meet the future needs of the population.

It has been the practice of Ontario's Electrical Utilities to employ delivery and debt servicing charges to pay for these upgrades. Our objection is that these charges are levied in an inconsistent way, where rural customers are being charged far more than urban users. While some may argue that it costs more to service outlying areas, it must also be acknowledged that every sub-grid is important to the healthy and efficient delivery of electricity in the Province of Ontario.

For this reason, we are asking that the cost of upgrades be spread evenly, over the entire population of Ontario so that it would be less of a burden.

We also object to the fact that Ontario's Electrical Utilities continue to pay dividends to investors instead of investing this money in improving the infrastructure. It is our contention that the Government of Ontario should MANDATE that dividends should be suspended or reduced by 75% and that the money targeted for dividends instead be reinvested in the grid.

In addition, this petition is asking that the Government of Ontario block the rate increases for the next 5 years and mandate in order to force the Utilities to follow this investment model.

If you agree with these statements, I would ask that you add your name to the list.

Thank you for your time.