The pre-paid meters would minimize Hydro One's financial risk by requiring customers to pay for energy before using it, the utility said in an application to the Ontario Energy Board.

La Presse reports that it obtained a copy of a draft deal that says Ontario would buy eight terawatt hours per year from Quebec, whether the electricity is consumed or not.

Ontario electricity ratepayers will learn Thursday how the Liberal government plans to reduce their bills, which reportedly includes a move akin to refinancing a mortgage that's being slammed as just kicking costs down the road.