Minister of Energy and Infrastructure George Smitherman to address employees of recently merged electric utilities

WHAT: Honourable George Smitherman will speak at the first-ever combined assembly of PowerStream and Barrie Hydro employees since the merger of the two electric utilities on January 1, 2009.

The merger created the second largest municipally-owned electricity distribution company in the province, providing service to more than 315,000 residential and business customers in Simcoe County and York Region. The merged entity is retaining the PowerStream corporate name but will be co- branded “PowerStream Barrie Hydro Distribution” in the Barrie/Simcoe County part of the service territory for the initial year.

WHO: George Smitherman, Ontario’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Peter Meffe, Chair of PowerStream’s Board of Directors and City of Vaughan Councillor; Frank Scarpitti, Vice Chair PowerStream Board and Mayor of Town of Markham; Lynn Strachan, City of Barrie Councillor and member of PowerStream’s Board of Directors and Brian Bentz, President & CEO of PowerStream, will be speaking at the event.

WHEN: 2:30 – 3:30 p.m., Thursday February 12, 2009

WHERE: Army Navy and Air Force Club (ANAC) Banquet Hall 7 George Street (Highway 400, exiting east off Dunlop Street) Barrie, Ontario. Parking is available outside the banquet hall

Photo Opportunities:

• George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure