The Liberals' bill to take 8-per-cent off hydro bills starting next year, which is equal to the provincial portion of the 13-per-cent harmonized sales ax, passed third reading Wednesday morning.

Bill 13, An act in respect to the cost of electricity, carried 88-0.

Skyrocketing electricity bills have been a thorn in the Liberals' side of late. The government estimates the rebate will knock $130 off an average ratepayer's annual bill, with rural consumers, who have reportedly been impacted the most by costly bills, getting $540 a year in relief.

PC Leader Patrick Brown, who was meeting with former prime minister Brian Mulroney in his riding, was not in the chamber for the vote.

Premier Kathleen Wynne initially floated the 8-per-cent hydro tax rebate as one of two meaty portions of the Throne Speech in September, along with the plan to create 100,000 licensed child-care spaces over five years, starting next year.

Seen: Hydro rebate bill passes third reading

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