Since 2004, $87 million in Hydro Ottawa profits have been transferred to the City of Ottawa. As such, Cumberland Candidate Stephen Blais today proposed that future Hydro Ottawa profits be used to ensure “one city, one service” by transferring the remaining Hydro One customers in Ottawa to Hydro Ottawa, followed by burying overhead wires, where warranted, across the City.

“Hydro profits are simply a tax by another name and residents want service improvements for their hard earned taxes,” says Blais. “Future Hydro profits should be used to benefit our residents and our communities – not cover-up fiscal irresponsibility.”

In the east end, Hydro One customers are paying on average $200 more per year than their neighbours on Hydro Ottawa despite the fact that some residents literally live across the street from one another. The Ontario Government has amended provincial legislation to allow for the transfer of Hydro One customers to Hydro Ottawa and eliminated the 32-per-cent transfer tax.

“For more than three years, City Council has had the green light to establish a one city one service hydro utility,” adds Blais. “A failure of leadership has lead to thousands of suburban and rural customers paying more money for hydro than their neighbours and families.”

On Monday August 9, 2004, when speaking with the Ottawa Citizen, Councillor Jellett said he expected an announcement within a few weeks and that the 37,000 residents of the amalgamated Ottawa who use Hydro One services will soon be shifted to Hydro Ottawa, whose customers pay a lower rate. Rob Jellett is quoted as saying "If you're paying more than the guy across the street, obviously there's an inequity that needs to be fixed."

In addition to bringing Hydro One customers into Hydro Ottawa, Blais believes Hydro profits should be used to bury overhead wires in neighbourhoods across the city, where he will champion burying the wires on St. Joseph Blvd.

“East End City Councillors should have ensured a portion of hydro profits were used to bury the wires on St. Joseph Blvd,” adds Blais. “It’s time the east end got its fair share for the skyrocketing fees we pay to City Hall.”

In a May 15th, 2006, News Release issued with Orléans Councillor Monette, Councillor Jellett is quoted as saying “It’s long over due that Cumberland and Orléans join the City of Ottawa.”

“Councillor Jellett has been elected for nearly seven years, and residents want more than lip-service and false promises from their elected representatives,” adds Blais. “Change is paramount to our city moving forward - the status quo has kept us mired in debate and stuck in neutral on so many key files that would have improved the quality of life for east end families.”