The Public Utilities Board (PUB) granted Manitoba Hydro an interim 2.9 per cent rate hike this week, which will begin affecting Manitoba families on April 1. This desperate cash grab by the NDP government will be implemented despite objections from a dissenting member of the PUB and before a full rate hearing process has even been completed.

The PUB is supposed to be the watchdog for Hydro rates in Manitoba. When Manitoba Hydro refuses to provide information and answers to the PUB and the public in a timely manner, I believe handing the crown corporation interim financing is essentially giving Hydro approval to continue spending without accountability. 

Our rates have gone up 16 per cent in recent years, but rather than wait for a full review to be conducted, this rate hike is being hastily implemented. The NDP has mismanaged Hydro so badly over the past decade, its only current course of action is to callously take more money out of the pockets of hard-working Manitobans.

As the Progressive Conservative Hydro Critic, I believe there needs to be a full risk review, a capital project review, and a full assessment of the utility’s borrowings before any rate increases.

Until this happens, raising rates only gives Hydro a licence to continue with its mismanagement directed by the NDP.

Rick Borotsik

Brandon

(The writer is MLA for Brandon West and the Progressive Conservative Hydro critic.)