On the campaign trail, Kathleen Wynne and Doug Ford are taking aim at Hydro One’s compensation policies, just as the power utility’s shareholders gave those policies a new vote of confidence.
Ms. Wynne’s Liberal government, which privatized 60 per cent of Hydro One, called on the company in April to review its compensation scheme, which included at least $10.7-million in severance for the CEO. At a campaign stop Tuesday, Ms. Wynne said the review should also look at board members, whose self-appointed pay raises have been a target of criticism by the Progressive Conservatives and NDP.
In its quarterly report Tuesday, Hydro One announced a rise in first-quarter profit to $222-million, up 33 per cent from the same time last year. Shortly afterward, at their annual meeting, Hydro One shareholders voted 92 per cent in favour of the utility’s executive compensation plan.
In Toronto, Mr. Ford, the PC Leader, reiterated past promises to fire Hydro One’s CEO and board on Tuesday. “We have more than enough capable people of running hydro,” he said. “I can assure you that, they’re lining up from here to Timbuktu.”
Hydro One CEO Mayo Schmidt decried what he called meddling by Ontario’s party leaders, saying in an interview Wednesday that political controversy is threatening the utility’s plans to become a North American energy powerhouse. “Timing for Hydro One is critical,” he said.
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Major issues are: Budget, Taxation, Spending, Education, Child Care, Transit & Infrastucture, Hydro and Environment.
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LIBERALS:
KATHLEEN WYNNE
Age: 64
Riding: Don Valley West
Background: Five years ago, Ms. Wynne was a pioneer when she became Ontario’s first female premier, helping the Liberals to shake off a reputation for mismanagement inherited from her predecessor, Dalton McGuinty, and then regaining a majority government in 2014.
But now, Ms. Wynne’s approval rating has waned as the Liberals mark their 15th year in power. The Liberals tried to reassert its progressive credentials in March’s budget, which promised billions in new spending, child-care programs and drug and dental care. That budget’s slogan was “care and opportunity,” and “care” is a word you’ll hear a lot in Ms. Wynne’s campaign as she positions herself against Doug Ford’s cut-happy conservatism.
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PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVES:
DOUG FORD
Age: 53
Riding: Etobicoke North
Background: Until January, Ontario’s PCs had expected Patrick Brown to lead them into the election and, perhaps, into power again. But after sexual-misconduct allegations forced Mr. Brown out of office, a last-minute leadership race made Doug Ford the new boss in March. Torontonians may remember him from the tumultuous mayoralty of his younger brother, Rob Ford, whose mantra of “respect for taxpayers” through government cutbacks has found new life in Doug Ford’s provincial campaign. But whereas the Fords’ municipal populism was aimed at loosely defined adversaries, Doug Ford’s provincial populism is marshalling popular resentment against a more specific target: Ms. Wynne, whom he accuses of “reckless spending” and promises to audit if elected.
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NEW DEMOCRATS:
ANDREA HORWATH
Age: 55
Riding: Hamilton Centre
Background: A labour activist and former city councillor in her hometown, Hamilton, Ms. Horwath entered provincial politics in 2004 as the MPP for Hamilton Centre. This is her third election since becoming party leader in 2009. With Ms. Horwath scoring a higher favourability rating than either of her rival leaders in recent polls, the NDP – whose campaign slogan is “change for the better” – is trying to portray Ms. Horwath as an alternative for voters disenchanted with the Wynne government.