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Small? Not quite: http://pierrelebel.com/pics/Family/House-Winter.JPG
We heat with natural gas.
And yes, we have replaced the freezer and the extra fridge downstairs for more energy efficient appliances. And, like most people, we have replaced light bulbs for more energy efficient bulbs.
So, despite the 8% tax increase (from GST to HST) our hydro bill has been pretty consistent over the years.
How do you compare?
" Are you serviced by Belleville Hydro?"
Used to be.
However, as you may remember, Mike Harris forced small municipalities to sell their hydro and merge with larger ones. We are now serviced by Veridian, partly owned (small minority) by the City of Belleville.
"Private enterprise can do a better job and still make a profit."
That is a theory.
How does it work in the real world?
Take a look at the long term profitability of CPP and compare the results to hundreds of mutual funds or other private pension plans in Canada.
Take a look at Ontario Liquor Board and its stores and compare their profitability to the private businesses you find in Alberta for example (the largest is Liquor Stores NA Ltd - public company listed on TSX - with about 200 stores in AB and a few in BC)
Etc... etc...
There is no guarantee that private enterprise will do better every time. One would think that the "profit motive" would lead people to work harder to generate a profit but it does not always work that way.
The election is over.
69% of Ontario voters rejected the right-wing policies of Mike Harris and Tim Hudak.
That is NOT what Ontario wants.
It is done. It is over. No point crying over it.
Move on.
Next year, you will find the same 69% of Canadians rejecting the right-wing policies of Harper and his Reform associates.
Eventually, a true Progressive-Conservative party will regain power in Canada. That will be a good day. But not for a few years. Too much damage has been done to the core values of this country by the Reformists.
The most recent polling averages (takes several polls into account) shows the federal Conservatives at 31%.
Once again, 69% of Canadians do not want the Conservatives in power and prefer other options.
And when Wynnegate adds her portion it will get worse ..........
"Harper will get elected with a minority government"
Big assumption that Harper will run. I do not think so. I expect he will pull a "Mulroney" and resign before facing the defeat of his government in the next federal election.
"as it's too late now to bring in a new leader. "
???
The election is sixteen months away.
Back in 1993, Mulroney resigned early that year and the election took place in November.
It is not too late to get rid of Harper. 
@pierrelebel wrote:"Harper will get elected with a minority government"
Big assumption that Harper will run. I do not think so. I expect he will pull a "Mulroney" and resign before facing the defeat of his government in the next federal election.
Wasn't that a bit different? Mulroney's popularity barely registered and the Conservatives ended up being reduced to 2 seats? I don't think Harper will resign as long as there's hope. I'm sure they're preparing their election ads as we speak. 
