Hydro chief's 3 million dollar payout defended
Burak told a legislative committee there were no legal grounds to fire Parkinson, even though he billed personal expenses on his secretary's corporate credit card.
She said the Hydro One board and Parkinson agreed he had to go after an Auditor General's report on his expenses, and the severance meant he would resign immediately.
Burak also defended the board's decision not to resign after the scathing Auditor General's report.
The Liberal government came under heavy fire from the opposition parties in December over Parkinson's $1.6 million annual compensation and $3 million in severance.
Energy Minister Dwight Duncan has since announced a review of executive salaries at Hydro One, Ontario Power Generation and other provincial energy agencies.
Duncan said the government thinks the salaries should be more in line with the public service nature of energy utilities rather than competing with CEOs on Bay Street.
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BC Hydro electricity demand down 10% amid COVID-19 pandemic
VANCOUVER - Elecricity demand is down 10 per cent across British Columbia, an unprecedented decline sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a BC Hydro report.
Power demand across hotels, offices, recreational facilities and restaurants have dwindled as British Columbians self isolate.
The shortfall means there's a surplus of water in reservoirs across the province.
"This drop in load in addition to the spring snow melt is causing our reservoirs to reach near capacity, which could lead to environmental concerns, as well as public safety risks if we don't address the challenges now," said spokesperson Tanya Fish.
Crews will have to strategically spill reservoirs…
