Zurich Citizens News, 1975-10-23, Page 23Industries attacked by utilities
A new group of "Robber
Barons" was the way Alan B.
Cousins, president of the Ont-
ario Municipal Electric Assoc-
iation, referred to a group of
industries who had stated that
they are, "...willing to engage
in energy' conservation and
management methods...
provided they receive adeq-
uate compensation in approp-
riate rate reductions."
Speaking to an audience of
municipal electric utility com-
missioners in Exeter last
Thursday, Mr, COusins said
That the Ontario Municipal
Electric Association is,
"deeply concerned, that the
37-40 members of a group
known as the Association of
Major Power Consumers
in Ontario should attempt to
represent themselves as
another wholesale function
within the power distribut-
ion system of Ontario, and
seek specific privileges not
available to others."
Citing statements made by
the association, Mr/ COusins
referred to an April news
story quoting Mr. W.K.
Voss, Vice president of the
Ontario Paper Company and
a spokesman for major power
consumers, as saying, their
industrial group was being
asked to shoulder an unfair
burden of an unjustified rise
in capital costs. While a sub -
Mrs. Ray Bell and Mrs. Ron
Littleton visited tvith the
latter's daughter in Peter-
boro.
The ladies of Kippen
church had a veru succcessfu]
smorgasbord dinner last
Wednesday evening in Huron
Centennial School.
Mr. Edgar Schnell, Cana -
rose. Alberta, visited his
brother-in-law, Mr. Lorne
McBride.
Mr. and Mrs. Vivan Cooper
attended a 45th wedding -ann-
iversary at Ailsa Craig.
Miss Lynn Alderdice of
London was home for the
weekend.
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sequent story in July, also
originating with the same
group, stated that Oakville
(a municipal wholesale cust-
omer of Ontariuo Hydro)
paus 13% more to Ontario
Hydro than the direct indust-
rial retial customers of Ont-
ario Hydro, for the same
amount of power. This story
went on to list Port Credit,
Mississauga, Hamilton, Tor-
onto and Nepean as other
examples of municipalities
who pay more for their power
than the direct industrial
customers of Ontario Hydro.
"This obvious advantage over
industrial customers served
by municipal utilities cannot
honestly be identified as an
"unfair burden'," stressed
Mr, Cousins, as he continued
on with additional illustrat-
ions.
Commenting on the prol-
iferation of studies, commis-
sions, reviews, and the mach-
inationsof the Government,
and their resulting effects
on local commissions and el-
ectrical distribution, Mr.
Cousins emphasized the need
for commissioners to,"...
have some facts to work with..
to know what these various
programs are about, what
they will cost, in time as well
as money, what benefits they
render and to whom? We must
be sure that Hydro's plans
for expansion are necessary
and valid and that costs
are reasonable in the circum-
stances, And then we have
to respond to the responsib-
ilities of municipal control/"
Mr, COusins was address-
ing the annual meeting of
District No. 7 of the Ontario
Municipal Electric Assoc-
iation, attended by munic-
ipal electric utility commis-
sioners throughout this part
of Ontario.
A highlight of the meeting
was the presentation of
"Long Service Awards"
to municipal electric commis-
sioners by Mr. Cousins.
ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS, OCTOBER 30, 1975 - PAGE 7
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to
We have a new law in Ontario called
the Business Practices Act. Rs purpose
is to prevent unfair business practices
in sales to the public. Here's what the
law does:
O it prohibits false, misleading or
deceptive tactics in the sale of
products and services.
a it prohibits too high prices, unfair
contracts and high-pressure sales
methods.
O helps people get their money back
if a seller has taken unfair advantage
of them.
The Province of Ontario wants you
to get your money's worth when you
buy. Expensive items such as cars and
homes require a lot of thought, so the
Government of Ontario has prepared
some simple booklets that tell you what
to watch out for when you buy, explain-
ing the do's and don'ts about:
"Buying a Car"
"Buying Real Estate"
"Buying a Condominium"
"Getting a Mortgage"
You can also get a booklet called
"Balance in the Marketplace—The
Consumer's Guide to the Business
Practices Act."
If you would like a copy of any of
these booklets, or if you wish to
report an unfair business practice,
write now to:
Ontario Consumer
Queen's Park
Toronto, Ontario M4Y 1Y7
Ministry of Consumer and
Commercial Relations
Sidney Handleman, Minister
lecomoI
Province of Ontario
William Davis, Premier