News Releases    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 17, 2003

Ontario Energy Board divestment puts energy producers in charge

TORONTO - The divestment of the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) to a self-financing agency will leave consumers at the mercy of energy companies.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), representing approximately 40 OEB staff, said the changes represent yet another assault on the integrity of the Ontario Public Service and on public control of energy.

OPSEU President Leah Casselman said consumers and taxpayers would ultimately pay the price: “This is a bad idea that has not worked anywhere, because it allows energy producers to self-regulate. The new Board will be accountable not to the people through their elected representatives, but to the energy industry itself.”

“These changes in no way enhance the public interest - in fact they may well do the opposite,” she said. “Already the new Board chair’s salary is more than triple what the former chair earned. Is this what the Eves government calls accountability?”

OPSEU members at the OEB would have the right to a “negotiated transfer” to the new organization under the Ontario Public Service collective agreement.

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For further information:

David Cox, OPSEU Communications: 416-443-8888 (ext 314)
Sandra Harper, OPSEU Job Security Officer: 416-443-8888 (ext. 227)
OPSEU Organizing Dept 416-443-8888 (ext. 360)