Article content

“If this is an advertising request, please note that Hydro One does not purchase advertising.”

That’s how the outgoing message on the media line for Hydro One ended when, funny enough, I called to ask about their advertising.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or LILLEY: Hydro One using ratepayer money to oppose NDP and PC plans? Back to video

Seems Hydro One has been advertising quite a bit lately, but not how you might expect. The once-public utility is outbidding the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party to secure the top ad placement for anyone who searches the term “Hydro One” using Google.

Doug Ford has promised to fire Hydro One’s Six Million Dollar Man, CEO Mayo Schmidt and the entire Hydro One board.

Ford’s promise drew the ire of Hydro One insiders but resonated with voters, also hydro ratepayers, fed up with sky high bills.

Ontario’s hydro rates have skyrocketed four times fatster than inflation and more than double the national average over the past decade, the Fraser Institute reported in 2017.