CityVote Day 23: NDP, PCs blast Liberal plan to scrap Mississauga power plant

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath continued to pressure the governing Liberals to reveal the cost of their decision to scrap construction of a gas-fired power plant in Mississauga.

With a week to go before Ontarians go to the polls, Horwath sent a letter Thursday to the provincial auditor general asking for an investigation into the impact of the decision, announced last weekend by Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty.

Elections Ontario website

Horwath noted the Liberals cancelled a similar project in Oakville last year.

“Clearly, both decisions carry fiscal risks with potential impacts on ratepayers and/or the fiscal position of the province,” she said in the letter. “The lack of disclosure has left the public in the dark on the possible costs associated with these decisions.”

She cited a report in the Toronto Star that suggests the cancellation costs could total $1 billion.

The Liberals said they were reacting to the community when they made the decision and noted both the Progressive Conservatives and the NDP have promised to cancel contracts.

PC Leader Tim Hudak also criticized McGuinty’s decision, accusing him of “scrambling” for new policies the week before the election. Hudak said he’d scrap the province’s multi-billion dollar green energy deal with Samsung, and Horwath has vowed to scrub a GO train refurbishment contract with a Quebec company in order to provide more jobs to North Bay.

McGuinty was in Pickering on Thursday morning and then headed to Cambridge and London. Hudak is campaigning in Ottawa and Horwath is in Toronto.

McGuinty promised to roll out a home renovation tax credit more than a year earlier than originally planned in an effort to create jobs.

Under the plan, home owners would receive 15 per cent of up to $10,000 in home renovations, including ramp and stair-lift installations, to improve accessibility for seniors.

The Liberals initially planned to offer the tax credit in January 2013. If the Liberals are re-elected, the tax credit will be implemented for renovations starting Oct. 1, 2011.

McGuinty was grilled over a proposed tax credit that would reward businesses that hire non-Canadians who are eligible to work in Canada. Under the Human Rights Code, employers can’t ask about citizenship.

“We will find a way through that,” McGuinty said in Pickering. “We will find a way through that.” He then quickly changed tack, saying, “Remember, it’s up to the applicant to provide that information.”

Tuesday’s leaders’ debate has provided a surge in the NDP’s hopes of gaining more seats, according to recent public opinion polls.

While two polls released after the debates suggest most Ontarians think McGuinty was the winner, Horwath appears to be the most likeable candidate.

The results of an Angus-Reid survey conducted for the Toronto Star that were published Thursday show respondents thought McGuinty had the best performance, followed by Hudak and Horwath. But the poll also showed respondents viewed Horwath as the most trustworthy, honest, understanding and believable.

Another poll, released Wednesday, also showed respondents thought McGuinty won the debate, but 67 per cent of those questioned said their opinion of Horwath improved after the televised event.

With files from The Canadian Press

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