A federal election is not the only election in the air. Ontario Green Party Deputy Leader and candidate for Parry Sound-Muskoka, Matt Richter, is also turning up the heat.
Recently, Richter issued a media release in response to the Ontario government’s launch of new energy efficiency programs, including the Home Renovation Savings Program, part of a new $10.9 billion, 12-year investment in energy efficiency, touted as the largest in Canada’s history.
“Ontario Greens have long-called for a robust retrofit program, but this program will be virtually inaccessible to low and middle income households in Parry Sound – Muskoka. Homeowners are required to pay the costs up front and then wait for an unspecified amount of time to receive a 30% refund,” stated Richter.
However, Smith, also in a media release, noted that all residents will have access to the programs. “These new Energy Efficiency Programs that all residents will have access to will lower energy bills, put more megawatts into Ontario’s energy grid, and ultimately put more money back into your pockets,” he said. “These are important measures that will bring down the cost of home heating and air conditioning for residents of Parry Sound-Muskoka.”
But Richter accused Smith of “actively campaigned against a home retrofit program in 2022 and was willing to go so far as to lie about our plans in order to win. The people of Parry Sound–Muskoka have said time and time again that they want programs to reduce cost and environmental impact. It’s time they have an MPP who listens to their needs and not just the whims of our Premier,” he added.
Smith, on the other hand, accused the Greens of being purely ideologically driven and making the cost of living more expensive.
“While we remain committed to making life easier, the Greens have once again confirmed their ideologically-driven obsession with making everything, particularly energy, more expensive. The Greens support Justin Trudeau’s carbon tax and want to increase the current tax rate from $80/tonne to $300/tonne. This would prove tremendously harmful to residents of Parry Sound-Muskoka who rely on natural gas and propane in their homes and who use gasoline and diesel in their vehicles,” said Smith. “Every step of the way, the Greens have shown themselves to be ideologues, who are out of touch with the realities of life for people across Parry Sound-Muskoka.”
Richter said the Ford Government spends over $7 billion annually subsidizing electricity bills, which are skewed towards higher income households that use more energy.
“I’m pleased to see the Ford government finally announce a version of a home energy retrofit program to support people and small businesses to save money by saving energy,” said Richter. “Since my first campaign, the Greens have been calling for the government to support retrofits programs over energy subsidies.”
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