MPP Vic Fedeli2Ontario’s ombudsman says Hydro One “lost sight of its public interest purpose” and failed to consider the impact on its customers of a new information system that resulted in massive billing errors for about 100,000 households.

Andre Marin says his office was flooded with nearly 11,000 complaints from Hydro One ratepayers about over-billing or estimated bills, and what he calls “outrageously bad customer service” as it scrambled to fix technical glitches with the new system.    He says that as complaints grew, Hydro One deliberately kept problems under wraps, and deceived the electricity regulator and the ombudsman’s office ``about the extent and nature of the company’s billing and customer service disaster.’‘

Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli says he’s not surprised with the information in the report and it shows Hydro One has a complete disregard for customers outside of the major centres.

He says at his office there have been complaints and his staff spends much trying to give people the help they need.

Meantime, Fedeli says the taxpayer will not be favored should part of Hydro One be sold.

He points out there won’t be any oversight of Hydro One as soon as one share is sold to someone in the private sector.

The government is looking at selling 60 per cent of Hydro One.