New year brings Ont. electricity rebates

There are no major changes in Ontario taxes for the New Year, but there will be a new 10 per cent rebate on electricity bills effective Jan. 1.

The Ontario Clean Energy Benefit will be applied to electricity bills for homeowners, farmers and small businesses as the Liberals try to quell anger over rising hydro rates. The government predicts rates willrise 46 per cent over the next five years.

Premier Dalton McGuinty said the rebates will help people cope with rising bills as the province invests billions of dollars to modernize the electricity system.

The New Democrats say the energy rebates are really aimed at helping the Liberals get re-elected next October.

There will also be a 0.5 per cent increase in disability benefits for injured workers on Jan. 1, and another 0.5 per cent Jan. 1, 2012.

The Opposition said increases in premiums charged by the Workplace Safety Insurance Board that kick in Jan. 1, ranging from nine-to-20 per cent, are "a job-killing payroll tax hike."

Perhaps the biggest regulatory change is new rules for professional mixed martial arts bouts in Ontario, formally lifting a ban on the sport in a province where it enjoys huge popularity.