Freedom of Information Act Uncovers Misleading Information Provided by the NDP to Albertans

Last week we published a blog covering important issues facing Alberta’s electricity industry, which included the cancellation of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) leading to electricity consumers in Alberta being on the hook for $2 billion. Since we originally published our blog, new information has surfaced on the issue and can be found below.

Documents: NDP lied about the $2 Billion electricity fiasco

Government records contradict NDP claims about contract clause awareness

CALGARY, AB (April 11, 2019) – New documents suggest that the NDP government lied to Albertans about their knowledge of clauses in Power Purchase Agreements. The NDP claimed in late 2016 that they didn’t know about a clause in electricity contracts that put Albertans on the hook for $2 billion – but entries in Rachel Notley’s calendar, obtained by Freedom of Information, indicate that the NDP government was well aware. Read more.

Alberta Party Calls for Inquiry Into NDP Electricity Scandal

CALGARY, AB (April 11, 2019) - The Alberta Party calls for a full public enquiry to get to the bottom of the NDP’s $2 billion-dollar NDP electricity scandal.

Stephen Mandel, Leader of the Alberta Party: “We need to expose exactly how much political pressure the NDP put on supposedly arms-length government agencies to act against the economic interests of Albertan companies, and Alberta taxpayers,” said Mandel. “The NDP’s ideologically-driven changes to electricity have hurt our province. Albertans deserve to know the truth.” Read more.

Liberal Party Platform on Alberta’s Electricity Market

AMALGAMATING POWER MARKET ENTITIES: There are six government agencies and committees involved in the power market, including the Alberta Electric System Operator, Alberta Utilities Commission, Utilities Consumer Advocate, Market Surveillance Administrator, Balancing Pool and Transmission Facility Cost Management Committee. These agencies cost over $175 million annually.

Experts believe there is a significant overlap and redundancy in their roles, further exacerbated by a capacity market. We will amalgamate these entities to save consumer tens of millions of dollars a year.” Page 14 of Liberal Party’s 2019 Election platform.

To read the full text of our original blog, published April 5, click here.