Repost: Facts are stupid things in Ontario too

Note: This post was originally published on Jan. 25th of this year at an earlier version of this site. I'm reposting so it'll be here for reference. - p

The provincial NDP used an access to information request to obtain a copy of a "green energy" deal the province struck with Samsung last year. The company agreed to build solar and wind farms and in return was guaranteed access to the grid and a premium price for the energy those projects generate. In fact, saying that Samsung was guaranteed top dollar would be completely accurate:

"The government of Ontario agrees that it shall not provide, or permit to be provided by its agencies, to any other renewable energy project or developer, the benefit of an economic development adder or similar incentive which is greater than the economic development adder" given to Samsung, states the agreement.

But if you're hoping to find out exactly what top dollar is, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed.

The NDP finally obtained a copy of the Samsung deal through a freedom of information request, but all the provisions regarding payments and premiums for Samsung were deleted before its release. Several of the 32 pages are virtually blank, except for introductory lines stating "there shall be paid an economic development adder" to Samsung by Ontario taxpayers. The amounts were left blank.

Gee, I thought it was our money.

I've long maintained that Liberals don't have much more respect for the principle of access to information than Conservatives. I guess I should thank Dalton McGuinty for proving my point.