# Ontario's Hydro Subsidies Unsustainable

> Ontario's government faces pressure to end costly hydro bill subsidies as deficits grow.
- Title: Ontario's Hydro Subsidies Unsustainable · National Post
- Summary: Ontario's government faces pressure to end costly hydro bill subsidies as deficits grow.
- Keywords: ontario, hydro bill subsidies, deficit, ontario energy rebate, peter bethlenfalvy, doug ford, ontario government, power bills, National Post
- Source: National Post — https://nationalpost.com/opinion/ontario-cant-afford-to-keep-helping-pay-for-everyones-hydro-bill
- Author: Randall Denley
- Published: 2026-10-30T10:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ontario, hydro bill subsidies, deficit, ontario energy rebate, peter bethlenfalvy, doug ford, ontario government, power bills, news, politics
## Premier Ford's fiscal update
Premier Doug Ford's government reports higher deficit and delayed budget balance.
## Ontario energy rebate cap
Government caps Ontario Energy Rebate at 1,200 kilowatt-hours monthly for residential users.
## Subsidy reduction plan
Power-rate subsidy cuts from 23.5 per cent to 15.7 per cent next year.
## Subsidy cost impact
Subsidies cost $6.9 billion last year, up from $4.2 billion in 2020.
## Political strategy
Government avoids cutting subsidies to prevent accusations of raising bills.
## Historical context
Subsidies began in 2017 after 2018 election campaign focused on power costs.
## Key takeaway

Ontario's government cannot afford to keep subsidizing hydro bills as deficits rise.