The provincial government’s own internal polling suggests almost three quarters of Ontarians don’t like its plan to sell a 60 per cent stake in Hydro One.

Polls released under a freedom-of-information request from the New Democrats show 73 per cent of respondents believe the Crown electricity transmission utility should definitely or probably stay in public hands.

Opposition parties pounced at the results, released by the Liberal government Thursday before the NDP could trumpet them.

“It’s time for Kathleen Wynne to listen to Ontarians, stop this sell-off, and keep Hydro One in public hands where it belongs,” said NDP deputy leader Jagmeet Singh.

He called the polling by Pollara –– which found the most objections to the privatization in urban areas where Premier Kathleen Wynne’s Liberals are strong –– “a damning piece of information.”

A government source acknowledged the results –– from rolling polls with a sample size of 1,200 conducted over a 12-month period ending in June –– show Wynne has a tough sell on her hands.

“We continue to face a challenge communicating how broadening the ownership of Hydro One won’t affect hydro rates,” the source said, noting the poll also shows a majority of Ontarians in support of infrastructure investments to improve public transit which the sale will help bankroll.

Wynne’s privatization guru, former TD bank chief executive Ed Clark, has said the partial sell-off should lead to lower electricity prices for its customers by injecting “private sector discipline” to the company.

The partial sale of Hydro One, also in the news for a recent overbilling scandal, is expected to raise $9 billion, with just under half going to transit and the rest to retiring electricity sector debt.

Wynne maintains the government will retain control of Hydro One by not allowing any one shareholder to own more than a 10 per cent stake, with the province keeping 40 per cent.

The Progressive Conservatives said they were not surprised at the poll results.

“They’ve known this is the wrong approach and Ontarians have confirmed that,” said MPP John Yakabuski (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke). “This is not in the best interests of the people of Ontario, but the Liberals are still planning to proceed.”

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The sale will begin with an initial public offering on the stock market of 15 per cent of the company.

Wynne’s government is in the midst of a 10-year, $29-billion infrastructure improvement plan that includes $15 billion in new public transit lines to ease congestion in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area.

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