Ontario's legislative watchdogs warn against selling Hydro One

Ontario's legislative watchdogs are sounding the alarm over 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 would sell off a large chunk of Hydro One — 60 per cent — in order to funnel money into new projects rather than debt reduction.

The Independent Officers of the Legislative Assembly say 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 Deb Matthews says the legislative officers will be able to complete any ongoing Hydro One reports, but won't be able to start any new investigations.

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

"This legislation needs scrutiny," NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said. "It needs public input. It needs public hearings and the government's ramming it through in (Prime Minister) Stephen Harper style 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 same concerns.