Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have some general comments. I do not support this bill and will be voting against it during third reading. I would just like to outline to the committee my reasons for that. I concur with the concerns set out by the Standing Committee on Legislation in their report, but another reason for voting against it is that this, in effect, would become a hidden tax.
The protection of the consumers by the Public Utilities Board is something that benefits all people right now, and it should be a function, I think, of a central government. If the cost of providing this regulation is off-loaded to the Public Utilities Board, then the ratepayers wind up paying an indirect tax. I guess I have to call into question the comment made by the Minister in his opening comments when he says that the extra costs to the ratepayer of enacting this legislation would be more than offset by the benefits of regulation. I find that hard to understand when, right now, the consumer already has the benefit of regulation through the Public Utilities Board and the costs are paid for through their taxes, which is a much more equitable way of financing something that government should be doing.
Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to outline what I see are concerns about this legislation and outline why I will not be supporting the legislation on third reading. Thank you.
