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Originally Posted by 1overcosc
Very well done article. The only real omission is the recent (2016) introduction of the Ontario Electricity Support Program which provides substantial subsidies to hydro bills for low income families... seems like something that should have been mentioned in their paragraph about the various things the government is doing to attack the hydro monster.
It also really shows how the Liberal approach to the file, going all the way back to 2003, has really been one of good ideas and terrible execution. A good tale of caution for future governments.
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Since the OSEP is funded through yet another charge added to hydro bills, it should have been included in the reasons hydro costs continue to increase.
I think the ongoing and consistent problem is that the Mcginty/Wynne government has (and continues to) pursue a policy of dumping social policy onto hydro customers (a highly regressive revenue mechanism) rather than the general tax base, which at least somewhat progressive. Manufacturing subsidies, transit funding, climate change programs, regional development projects, pay-to-play fundraising schemes and vote-buying schemes have all been dumped on the backs of hydro customers. Not only is this politically stupid (because hydro bills are way more visible than income tax) and economically stupid (because it encourages inefficiencies) it is also bad public policy because these are excluded from all normal policy analysis tools.
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