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If only we could beam the premier 30 years into the future, so she can explain to the burdened Ontarians of the 2040s how “fair” her plan is for them.

This ruse is, at least, transparent in its motives. As ever, the provincial Liberals have decided that their own sagging political fortunes need boosting, and the best way to do that is through the liberal (can that even be called a pun anymore?) spending of public money. Lowering monthly utility bills is smart retail politics. As is their microscopic loosening of provincial alcohol sales: a born-free Ontarian is now able to buy some brands of beer at a few grocery stores, between certain hours and using specific checkout aisles. Ditto the premier’s recent decision to quash Toronto Mayor John Tory’s request for road tolls to finance new transit projects, and the just-announced public consultation towards cracking down on the practice of people selling a concert ticket they lawfully possess for whatever markup the market will bear. The Liberals are clearly aware of their grim electoral prospects and are trying to make nice again with infuriated voters in time for the 2018 election.

It might work. It has before. But let’s at least be clear in our language. Nothing about this hydro remortgaging is fair. This is tantamount to an abuse of power. A government that has veered from one fiscal disaster to another is essentially bailing itself out, a year before an election, using public money. It’s very premise is bribing away the anger of today’s voters with money stolen from future taxpayers. It might be shrewd politics, but it’s not fair.

Here’s what it most certainly is: An admission of failure, and a gesture of helplessness. It is offensive to the taxpayers and overtly harmful to the current and future interests of the province of Ontario. It is, in other words, an entirely accurate reflection of this Liberal government’s record.