Others’ Words (August 17, 1992)

Mining companies in Ontario need to have confidence in the price forecasting ability of Ontario Hydro and on the availability of competitively priced electricity. From the 1950s to the 1980s, the utility had a reasonable record of providing power at a cost which has remained relatively flat in terms of constant dollars. In more recent years, rate increases have been double or triple the rate of inflation. It appears rate increases are going to be in the double digit range for the next several years. Ontario Hydro could well serve its customers by carrying out productivity improvement programs on the scale they have been carried out in the private sector. — From the Ontario Mining Association’s submission on Ontario Hydro’s revised demand/supply plan.