The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP) and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) have stopped the sale of Hydro One, the Ontario electricity transmission grid. Mr. Justice Gans of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled that the Conservative government of Ontario does not have legal authority to relinquish public control of the corporation, by offering its shares for sale to private investors. He delivered his decision today at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Toronto.

"Premier Eves stated that he would absolutely not halt the privatization process. This judgment is a message to the Premier that he must reconsider his position and stop the privatization of Hydro One," said CEP President Brian Payne. "We argued that the government was trampling on democracy in their mad haste to privatize Hydro One, and we were right."

"This is a great victory for the people of Ontario, the economy of Ontario and the environment of Ontario," said CUPE National President Judy Darcy. "The court has ruled the government had no authority to privatize Hydro One. Well we say they have no mandate to privatize any part of our hydro system."

Both unions have begun planning the next stages of their public campaign to make sure that hydro stays in public hands in Ontario.

Earlier this week, Justice Gans transferred the unions’ alternative argument that Ontario Energy Board approval would be needed for the sale of Hydro One, to Divisional Court for hearing on Tuesday, April 23rd. CEP and CUPE will be conferring with counsel to determine whether to proceed with that application.