Liberals promise 8% cut to hydro bill, and 20% if you're rural!

[last5oh_302]

Celebrate!

TORONTO - The Ontario Liberals have decided a hydro rebate was a good idea afterall.
In Monday's throne speech, the Kathleen Wynne government signalled it will remove the provincial portion of the HST from hydro bills in a bid to ease anger over soaring electricity rates.
The 8% rebate was announced in Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell in the speech kicking off a new session of the legislature. It will result in a $130 savings annually for the average household according to the government. The rebate would be available to residential, farm and small business ratepayers. Rural ratepayers would receive a further 20% break under the plan which would result in an additional $45 a month, or $540 a year.

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/09/12...gh-hydro-rates

[rick_iles]

Too little, too late !

[seabast]

They screwed them for so many years, giving them a treat now and they'll get their votes again in the future....
I love it!!!

[northernontario]

Your own tax dollars will be paying for this rebate. It's not a reduction in the price of hydro, or a reduction in the delivery charge... it's a government subsidy. Means the profits and stock price aren't affected, which keeps shareholders happy, which keeps them supporting Liberals. All it means is another portion of the government will have less budget, or they'll find somewhere else to generate further taxes. Perhaps another increase on vehicle license fees, or hunting license fees...

And then it'll turn into a fight with city vs rural and the argument that cities are propping up the rural folks... south vs north... etc.

And we'll still end up selling hydro at a loss to outside provinces/states, because we don't have systems in place to use the excess hydro when it's available... and even if we did, we'd be charged through the nose for it.

[rick_iles]

No worries, the hit we take with her hair-brained cap and trade scam will more than make up the measly 8% bribe !!!! We are still screwed until this LIEBERAL cartel is history.

[B Wilson]

I'm skeptical of this, 8% ( provincial portion of HST) and 20% off for rural customers.

Just waiting for the 30% carbon tax to be applied.

[cuulguy]

You rise rates almost 100% in 5 years and then give back 8% to make everybody happy. Nice!

[Waftrudnir]

Your own tax dollars will be paying for this rebate. It's not a reduction in the price of hydro, or a reduction in the delivery charge... it's a government subsidy. Means the profits and stock price aren't affected, which keeps shareholders happy, which keeps them supporting Liberals. All it means is another portion of the government will have less budget, or they'll find somewhere else to generate further taxes. Perhaps another increase on vehicle license fees, or hunting license fees...

And then it'll turn into a fight with city vs rural and the argument that cities are propping up the rural folks... south vs north... etc.
....

Great concept, isn't it?
Problem is, once you've figured out how they work (tax "reallocation" scam and intentional political polarization) the question becomes what can the average guy do.
Elections don't seem to impact the concept itself much (although certain parties like to rely on it significantly more so than others). Telling people (real life and on the internet) is great, but I wonder if there's more one can do.

[JBen]

Your own tax dollars will be paying for this rebate. It's not a reduction in the price of hydro, or a reduction in the delivery charge... it's a government subsidy. Means the profits and stock price aren't affected, which keeps shareholders happy, which keeps them supporting Liberals. All it means is another portion of the government will have less budget, or they'll find somewhere else to generate further taxes. Perhaps another increase on vehicle license fees, or hunting license fees...

And then it'll turn into a fight with city vs rural and the argument that cities are propping up the rural folks... south vs north... etc.

And we'll still end up selling hydro at a loss to outside provinces/states, because we don't have systems in place to use the excess hydro when it's available... and even if we did, we'd be charged through the nose for it.

or

They (she) are realizing they are in very deep do do. Especially because for essentially the past 16 years ( prefer not to split hairs) they've have been "buying" their votes (wins) from the GTA and Unions. As you rightfully said Northern O this admin in particular, like few or no others has been playing Urban/Rural. Up until recently ( lets not split hairs) very few people (relatively speaking) have called them on it, called spades spades.

The GTA while they are starting to feel things, have not and are not feeling things near as much. Pretty much blind to what things are doing.
So 8% for them.
and 28% for rural Ontarians.

Don't think its so much a ploy to further wedge Rural/Urban as it is simply. I'm in a world of trouble and I better start sending some love towards Rural Ontario as opposed to just Urban Ontario.

And frankly "if" Urbanites "resent" it, good. Its about time they start paying "their fare share". No-body wants wind except urbanites....Fine then they can start paying for it. And no body consumes as much power as the cities. Rural Ontario should be getting a discount.

And oddly enough a month or so ago, it's exactly what I proposed to FMc.
Never thought they'd actually do the right thing.

But as Rick said
Too little, too late.

[trimmer21]

We've seen this smoke and mirrors shyte before. Sure,they'll reduce the provincial tax portion of the HST,but,they'll OK another rate hike or two to make up for it. This government will NEVER give something with one hand and not take back with the other.