Hydro rate hike a good thing, rebate a waste (en francais)

Typical government. Take one good action and follow it up with a useless one, accompanied by barrels of taxpayers money.

The rate hike is long overdue. The subsidies cost us billions in tax dollars and leave everyone fat and happy with their energy use. Until we start realizing the true cost of our lifestyles, the situation will only get worse.

The article identifies 1.5 million low income people in Ontario that the government will spend $100 million on one time payments. With $120.00 going to families and $60.00 going to individuals, what is this payment going to accomplish? Nothing!

I'd rather see the government take the $100 million and purchase energy efficient light bulbs to give to the 1.5 million people. Even if you wasted half the payment on program delivery, the province and the people would be better off.

Outfit every Municipal and Provincial housing unit with these bulbs. Be creative for a change instead of just doling out money with no real purpose other than optics.

wishful thinking. The best we'll probably see is the Ontario government buy the rights to the one tonne challenge commercials and spend tens of millions more telling everyone what they should do. Certainly seems to be working well for the rest of the country.

Hydro hike shocks consumers
Apr. 13, 2006. 05:19 AM
TYLER HAMILTON AND KERRY GILLESPIE
STAFF REPORTERS

Ontario families already grappling with $1-a-litre at the pumps and higher natural gas prices are about to get squeezed again, this time on their electricity bill.

Last year's blistering hot summer and the rising cost of powering the province means Toronto households will be paying an average of 5.8 per cent or $81 more over the next year to keep the lights on and air conditioners humming under new rates, effective May 1, unveiled yesterday by the Ontario Energy Board.