The MPP for Timiskaming – Cochrane says the Liberals are denying a 20 percent hydro reduction rate to more than a million rural residents. The relief includes eliminating the eight percent provincial part of the HST and reducing hydro delivery charges by 12 percent. But John Vanthof says 1.8 million Ontarians fall into the rural category. However he adds according to energy minister Glenn Thibeault’s own words, only a fraction qualify for the full 20 percent relief.
Thibeualt told the Legislature that 330,000 residents in rural, remote or northern parts of the province will get 20 percent off their hydro bills. But Vanthof says this means about 1.5-million rural Ontarians will still get hammered by sky-high delivery charges. He wants the Liberals to say who will and won’t get the relief among this group.