Green tax not expected to be popular with consumers

Consumers will struggle when they see an increase in their hydro bills in Ontario, say critics, after the Liberals revealed Saturday that a new levy will help cover $53 million of the government's conservation and green energy program.
The regulation, entitled ``Assessments for Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure Conservation and Renewable Energy Program Costs'' has not been announced yet, but Liberals said the levy will likely appear on hydro bills in May. It comes as consumers are hit with the 13 per cent harmonized sales tax on consumer goods and as smart meters are rolled in. The Liberals said the cost will be minimal, adding up to a $4 annual increase to customers over the course of a year.