Premier Kathleen Wynne says she won’t accuse her predecessor Dalton McGuinty to try and deflect blame for the costly gas plants scandal.  The Legislature’s Justice Committee begins hearings today over the release of documents on the Liberal decision to cancel gas plants in Oakville and Mississauga.  Wynne has agreed to appear before the committee at some point.  She says she “wasn’t in the room” when the cancellation decisions were made before the 2011 election, but she will take responsibility.  “In the spirit of openness,” she says, “I’m willing to go and have them ask whatever questions they will ask.  But I said I’m willing to go and appear before the committee.  The committee will now have the opportunity to call the people they want to call, and ask for the documentation they want to ask for, and we will provide that to the best of our ability.”

The Premier says she regrets that the Liberals didn’t make a better decision around the placement of these gas plants in the beginning, so this conversation wouldn’t be taking place.  Opposition politicians insist the government and the Ontario Power Authority have not released all documents the committee requested last May relating to the plants, which were scrapped following stiff community opposition.   The cancellation of the gas plants is believed to have cost taxpayers at least $230-million and as much as $1-billion.