Tories say Liberals spent $11.7M on consultants, media for hydro rebate plan

Ontario's energy minister admits the bulk of nearly $12million spent on the government's plan to offer financial help tolow-income electricity customers went to consultants andadvertising.

TheProgressiveConservativesaccusetheLiberalsofbadlymismanaging the Ontario Electricity Support Program because$11.7million of the $11.9 million budget went toconsultants,publications, media and advertising.

About 137,000 of an estimated 500,000 eligible families have been approved to get between $30 and $50 a month taken off their electricity bills since the program started last January.

Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault says "it's essential that thegovernment work with social service agencies and indigenouscommunities to communicate" the on-bill credits, which he believesare "very significant for low-income families."

Thibeault calls it a "robust and effective promotions campaign"that led to more than 230,000 applications for the hydro discounts.

To qualify for the maximum amount, a family of six must have ahousehold income of $28,000 or less, or a family of seven could havean income up to $39,000.