An Amherstburg woman believes her meeting with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne may be spurring hydro cost reduction strategies.
Libby Keenan, who works as a horse trainer, wrote a Facebook post two weeks ago about her hydro costs doubling over the last year. It went viral, being shared nearly 22,000 time, and got Keenan a meeting with the premier at Queen's Park in Toronto, where she learned that Ontario's hydro issues have roots that go back to the early 2000s.
"Contracts are signed and they're not easy for a government to get out of," Keenan explained. "The whole process has evolved while we [the general public] are out busy, trying to make a go of it. And we're too busy. We don't pay attention and we don't participate."
After meeting with Wynne Wednesday morning, Keenan said she doesn't blame the premier for Ontario's current problem and doesn't think hydro is a simple issue that can be fixed simply by changing which party governs.
Keenan said she believes people can affect change by simply paying more attention to what our government is doing, voting, and articulating their personal stories to MPPs.
"I feel like I woke up after 20 years, because I've been out here busy doing what I do, and, 'Oh my God, these things were all said, and why didn't I vote against that.' We have to be aware," said Keenan.
An issue she'd like to see people speak out on right now is the privatization of Hydro One, as she feels losing Ontario's 60% share could cause rates to go even higher.
Thursday morning, Wynne promised more hydro relief for Ontario residents will be announced before the spring budget.