Province to get power price break

It’s official – the Ontario government is cutting our hydro bills by ten per cent.

The reduction will start early next year. The Canadian Press confirms the province will introduce a billion dollar program Thursday to trim about $125 a year from the average household bill. Premier Dalton McGuinty wouldn’t talk specifics Wednesday, but says the government feels it has to give consumers a break during lean economic times.

The opposition calls the gesture too little, too late.

“Well it looks pretty desperate. Dalton McGuinty has increased hydro rates for 75% for the average family; over 100% if you’re on a smart meter, and now he says just before an election he’s going to give 10% back. I don’t think families are going to buy it.” -Tim Hudak, Progressive Conservative Leader

“When you’re borrowing money to pay for your hydro bills, you have to ask about what kind of policy you actually have in place. They bungled this file. They’re trying to make up for it by taking tax money and underwriting our electricity bills.” -Peter Tabuns, NDP Energy critic

Tabuns says it would make more sense to reduce hydro bills by removing the 8% HST.