NDP Energy Critic Peter Tabuns says the activation of 10,000 so-called “smart meters” by Toronto Hydro over the coming weeks will enable a pricing scheme in which rates will spike during afternoon hours, hurting many modest income hydro users who have far less flexibility than others to shift their electricity use to low-cost, low-demand times.

“The experience in other jurisdictions suggests that many Ontarians – particularly low and moderate income hydro users – will be hurt by the time-of-use pricing scheme being rolled out under the McGuinty government’s smart meter scheme. I also fear that many small businesses will be hurt as well,” said Tabuns.

He added that there is overwhelming evidence that low and moderate income earners would have benefited from alternative conservation and energy efficiency measures.

The McGuinty government should have implemented an affordable, large-scale, residential retro-fit program along with a modestly priced, “peak-saver” program, says Tabuns.

Combined, these two programs would have greatly benefited modest income hydro consumers. They would also likely have saved a lot more electricity.

“Many lower income electricity users – whether seniors, the working poor, single-parent households, people with disabilities or new immigrants – do not have the financial resources to buy new, expensive, energy-efficient products,” said Tabuns.

“Nor do they have the flexibility to significantly shift their energy use patterns.”