TORONTO – The association representing Ontario’s energy producers and distributors says the province should stop subsidizing the price of hydro and instead offer targeted help to customers who need it most.
The Ontario Energy Association makes the request of the Ontario government in a policy paper released Wednesday, saying most of the nearly $6 billion the province spends every year to cut electricity costs goes to customers who don’t need help paying their bills.
If the province continues with its current pace, it will spend $228 billion subsidizing hydro rates over the next 25 years, according to the association. “Ontario is also now spending more on electricity subsidies than on its entire transportation system,” the report states.