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.
Related News

Florida says no to $400M in federal solar energy incentives
MIAMI - Florida has passed up on up to $400 million in federal money that would have helped low-income households install solar panels.
A $7 billion grant “competition” to promote clean energy in disadvantaged communities by providing low-income households with access to affordable solar energy was introduced by President Joe Biden earlier this year, but none of that money will reach Florida households.
The Environmental Protection Agency announced the competition in June as part of Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. However, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has decided to pass on the $400 million up for grabs by choosing to opt out of the…