Hydro; Ontario residents are angry.

I made a significant discovery today.  Ontario residents are angry about how much they pay for electricity to run their homes and businesses.  I have heard increased reports of this in the media during the past few months and then discovered today through social media that hundreds, if not thousands are beginning to organize.  They are justifiably angry about the high cost of electricity brought about by poor deregulation policies, the failed Green Energy policy, and now, the imminent privatization of Hydro One.

Every political party that has governed Ontario for the past 50 years is somewhat responsible for the mess, but things really started to fall apart during the Bob Rae era.  I am hesitant to call this an NDP government as its actions did not actually reflect NDP policy and it has become clear in the years since that Bob Rae himself was not a New Democrat.  The Harris wrecking crew made things worse, and then the mediocre McGuinty and Wynne Liberals have made it extremely bad since.  Since all three political parties have had some responsibility for creating the situation, anyone trying to seek political attention to address the situation surrounding high rates should be very careful who they attempt to make friends with.  Are PC MPP's a good option?  It was the Harris government that took apart Ontario Hydro, attempted to privatize what was left, and then deregulated the system which began the price climb.  Through deregulation, it also allowed for private generating companies to set up, i.e. developers of gas power plants and wind turbines.  Whenever a PC MPP says the Liberal government is wrong to privatize Hydro One, or shows up at an event to protest rate increases or privatization, I instantly conclude they are only saying this to advance their own political popularity.  20 years ago, Ontario was in the midst of an election campaign that saw a PC government elected that tore apart Ontario Hydro and hastened the system and market towards the sad situation it's in now.  Unless the PC's have reverted to their pre-Harris tradition of supporting publicly owned power in Ontario, which they have not, I would be very reluctant to trust them on any question regarding Hydro.

The angry power customers of Ontario are completely justified in their anger.  It is a struggle for senior citizens, young homeowners, and small business people.  It is tragic, sad, and preventable that the province which once advertised itself as the "Province of Opportunity" is making it financially burdensome for its citizens to do their jobs and perform basic functions in their homes like cooking and cleaning.