Energy Minister Discusses Northern Prices

Ontario Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli is ruling out a separate electricity rate for northern Ontario.
In a conference call with media on Wednesday, Chiarelli bluntly said “no” and stated there will still be one grid and one price in Ontario.
However, Chiarelli says the new provincial energy plan creates programs, including the northern Ontario credit program, to help local residents.
We face a 33% hike in our electricity rates over the next 3-years according to the new plan.
Meantime, Chiarelli believes the new plan will help the Ring of Fire move forward.
Chiarelli says they may have sweetened the electricity price deal for companies like Cliffs Natural Resources.
He notes they are negotiating a price deal with Cliffs.
Cliffs had said they walked away from the mining project because of several reasons, one being the high price of electricity.