"There is relatively little the government can do to lower rates through more lasting, structural means, mostly because the Liberals have tied up so much of the system in 20-year contracts."

Totally false.  The Ontario government is a sovereign entity which can write laws to change contracts at will with impunity.  There is no excuse not to do so as this province is being bled dry.

Until then, all Ontario ratepayers should form a coalition to band together and immediately STOP PAYMENT OF ALL HYDRO BILLS ACROSS THE PROVINCE TO BRING THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO TO ENACT IMMEDIATE CHANGE.