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“Selling Hydro One is like burning the furniture to heat your house,” Unifor Ontario Regional Director Katha Fortier told the rally. “We need to remind Kathleen Wynne that hydro is a utility that we can’t live without.”
As shareholders met inside, the Keep Hydro Public coalition sent the message that the people of Ontario still own approximately 70 per cent of Hydro One and that it's not too late to stop privatization.
“When asked, Ontarians overwhelmingly say they don’t want to privatize publicly-owned local utilities and distribution companies,” said OFL President Chris Buckley. “Premier Wynne and her government are willfully ignoring the wishes of the Ontario public – which is set to lose the most if Hydro One and other utilities are sold off and privatized.
“As privatization occurs rates will rise,” Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath warned those gathered. “Instead of operating for the people and the economy Hydro One will be operating for the shareholders.”
The crowd was also addressed by OPSEU President Smokey Thomas, ACORN’s Alejandra Ruiz Vargas and CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn. Following the rally several supporters made their way into the MaRS Building to enter the Shareholder Meeting. Once inside, brothers and sisters lined up at floor mics to pose tough questions and let investors, and Hydro One board members, know that the public are the true shareholders.
To view a photo gallery of the outside rally and pictures from inside the shareholder meeting visit the Unifor facebook page at www.facebook.com/UniforCanada
The Keep Hydro Public campaign is supported by more than 20 community, labour, environment, anti-poverty and student organizations. Find out more about the campaign at www.KeepHydroPublic.ca
