The Ontario Government says it will be softening the blow of climbing hydro rates next year through a new rebate.
Officials announced the partial refund for Ontario hydro bills during Monday's Throne Speech. The rebate will come from the provincial portion of the HST. The 8% return amounts to an annual savings of $130 for the average Ontario home, and will come into effect January 2017.
During the speech, Lieutenant-Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell added rural homeowners will see additional "on-bill" savings, while commercial and industrial businesses will see reduced energy costs in the future.
Finances were also a major topic during the speech. The government plans a balanced budget in 2017, and officials want to stay on track to eliminate the provincial deficit by 2017-2018.
The Throne Speech also revealed potential benefits for parents young and old. The Ontario Government plans to create 100,000 new child care spaces over the next five years. The province is spending another $350,000 in nursing care and an added 1.3-million hours in personal support for elderly home care. Personal support workers will also be getting a pay bump.
Downdeswell adds farmers will get help in meeting the Premier's Agri-food Challenge, including new trade missions and measures to reduce energy costs.
The second session of Ontario's 41st Parliament is back in session, after Premier Kathleen Wynne prorogued the legislature late last week.