Category Archives: Utility Reform

(June 1, 2000) Toronto Hydro is about to impose shocking rate increases on its consumers. Residential consumers using the average amount of electricity for the residential class will see distribution rates rise by 39% initially and 58% once the increase is fully implemented in 2001. Continue reading →

(May 29, 2000) Last February, the Ontario Energy Board gave municipal utilities the go-ahead to raise distribution prices as part of the province’s restructuring of the electricity market. Continue reading →

(April 12, 2000) Energy board told phase-in hides effects of hikes. Regulators shouldn’t cushion consumers from electricity rate increases triggered by Ontario’s new market-driven electricity system, says Energy Probe. Continue reading →

(February 3, 2000) Urban homeowners can expect an average hike of about 6 per cent in electricity costs this fall. The Ontario Energy Board has given the go-ahead to Ontario’s 255 municipal utilities to boost rates for industrial and residential customers Nov. 1. Continue reading →

(January 28, 2000) Ontario’s electricity restructuring, which could and should be delivering a cheaper, more accountable electricity system, is morphing into a nightmare attack on small ratepayers and taxpayers. Continue reading →

(December 8, 1999) Canada has lessons for countries whose electricity sectors have long been dominated by government-owned monopolies. Its experience illustrates both the limitations and the opportunities created by deregulation and opening up the market. Continue reading →

(October 22, 1999) Ontario’s municipal electric utilities – Toronto Hydro, Ottawa Hydro and other local distribution companies that deliver power to city consumers – will be allowed to raise their rates to the average customer by about one-third next year under a proposed Ontario Energy Board staff plan. Continue reading →

(October 20, 1999) Municipal utilities are expected to take the Ontario Energy Board to court over a decision they say cuts them out of the best parts of deregulation in the electricity market. Continue reading →

(October 19, 1999) Homeowners will keep paying a flat rate for electricity under an Ontario Energy Board decision yesterday, but could face once-a-year price shocks as utilities adjust their bills to reflect changes in electricity prices. Continue reading →

(April 13, 1998) Instead of planning cutbacks and struggling to avoid tax increases to deal with new costs imposed on them by the unpopular Harris government downloading, Ontario municipalities could be planning to use the funds from a perpetual, income generating endowment and preparing to issue a special dividend payment to taxpayers. Continue reading →