The Ford government is proposing to wind down the previous Liberal administration’s 25-per-cent-off hydro plan by putting the taxpayer-funded subsidy on the province’s books while keeping electricity price increases to the rate of inflation. Energy Minister Greg Rickford said the changes would be made through the Progressive Conservatives’ “Fixing the Hydro Mess Act” tabled Thursday in the legislature. “We’re focused on the stability of the cost of electricity,” Rickford added, pledging to continue to work toward fulfilling an election promise to cut rates a further 12 per cent. “Across-the-board subsidies on hydro bill disproportionately benefit the wealthy because people with higher incomes use more electricity,” he said. Article Continued BelowThe previous Liberal government brought in the 25-per-cent hydro rate cut two years ago amid pressure from consumers over hydro rates that had risen sharply after years of upgrades to the system, making electricity prices a hot-button issue.

Source: thestar March 21, 2019 18:11 UTC