McGuinty shrugs off polls showing Liberals sinking

TORONTO, Ont. – Premier Dalton McGuinty is shrugging off another poll that suggests his Liberal government may be out of a job next fall as opposition parties renew their attacks over soaring hydro bills.

McGuinty said he won’t be distracted by polls that show a majority of voters think it’s time for a change in government, and will stay focusing on issues that matter to families, such as schools.

The Liberals have been under fire for weeks over rising home electricity bills, which McGuinty acknowledges have gone up for many people.

He announced Tuesday that he would extend an existing tax credit for seniors to help with energy costs, but opposition critics says it won’t do much to help people on a fixed income.

The Conservatives said the government was alerted to problems with smart meters and time-of-use pricing from electricity distributors over the summer, but forged ahead anyway.

The NDP said McGuinty is now scrambling to undo the damage his policies have created for families, who are struggling to pay for basic necessities like electricity.