Thunder Bay residents rally against Hydro One sale
Protesters hope to convince Thunder Bay's local MPs to convey their message to Queen's Park
A group of citizens plan to rally in Thunder Bay, Ont. on Saturday, in protest of the sale of Hydro One.
The local event is part of a larger provincial campaign opposing the province's decision to sell 60 per cent of the public utility to raise money for transportation and infrastructure projects. The sale of shares has already begun.
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It's a decision that worries Jules Tupker, who plans to join the group to rally and hand out leaflets on Saturday.
"Whenever a private organization takes over, they're in it to make money," Tupker said.
"I just feel that the hydro costs are high as they are, and if it goes private the costs are going to be even higher."
Tupker said he puts little stock in government assurances that the province will retain enough of Hydro One to maintain control of prices.
The protesters hope Saturday's event will catch the attention of Thunder Bay's two Liberal MPs, he said.
"We're going to be asking [people] to call their local MPs, and we have two of them who are actually in cabinet — they should have some clout."
"If they are representing us they should be going down to cabinet and saying 'my constituents aren't in favour of this, and we should stop it.'"
The rally is taking place at 10 am on Saturday at St. Paul's United Church.