Rife with falsehoods

Dear editor:
I would like to respond to last week’s column by local MPP Sarah Campbell entitled “Beware of energy retailers.”
In short, the article is rife with falsehoods, factually-incorrect statements, and clearly indicates that Ms. Campbell has a complete lack of knowledge of Ontario’s energy sector.
The first statement which is completely, factually false is that energy retailers purchase their energy from utilities. Energy retailers do not purchase their energy from the utilities; they purchase their energy from large wholesalers and/or generators and then sell to customers, which is the same structure and process of nearly all businesses throughout the world.
Further, the utilities charge the retailers a fee and the fee is regulated by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB).
The next falsehood is that energy retailers are able to operate outside of Ontario’s not unconsiderable energy regulations. Ontario currently has the most stringent and expansive rules in all of North American for energy retailing.
In point of fact, the OEB requires an electricity agreement be signed, disclosure statement be signed, price comparison form be signed, and telephone verification be made with a customer 10 days after signing all of the documents—for just one single electricity agreement signed at the door.
In fact, the telephone verification has no less than 25 questions, making signing an energy contract a longer, more detailed, more protected, and more time-consuming process for a consumer than securing a mortgage or even a six-figure credit loan.
Stating that Ontario consumers are not adequately protected under Ontario’s energy retailing regulations is a statement of the absurd—and displays a complete level of ignorance to the realities of the Ontario market.
The next falsehood is the statement that the Global Adjustment is the retailers’ cause for high energy prices. As the Global Adjustment is exclusively an Ontario government charge, it is equally absurd to blame an energy retailer for such a charge.
The Global Adjustment is charged by the Ontario government and is unique in North America to only Ontario electricity consumers, and accounts for roughly 55 percent of a typical residential utility bill; however, it is hidden from all Ontarians who are on the RPP.
In point of fact, government charges account for nearly 75 percent of a typical residential utility bill. I would ask all Ontarians to imagine their bills should this government interference be removed.
Seeing as the problems with Ontario’s energy sector seems to be as a result of the current Liberal governments policies, which are backed and endorsed by the NDP, I would recommend that it instead would be prudent—before making false and misleading statements—that Sarah Campbell examine her own party’s actions and policy initiatives to date.
I believe Ontario’s current problems clearly are a result of the current government’s actions and scandals, and are not the result of some hard-working individual who is coming to my door simply trying to make a living in order to be able to pay for the astronomical energy bills which his/her government has created for all Ontarians.
Sincerely,
Jordan Small
Vaughan, Ont.