When Ontarians flip a switch, they expect the lights to come on — safely, reliably, and affordably! Our June 2025 poll by Campaign Research shows that local hydro utilities, known as local distribution companies (LDCs), are meeting those expectations and strengthening the trust and confidence communities place in them.
Here are some insights are from our poll:
High satisfaction, growing stronger
The result is clear: 82 per cent of respondents expressed satisfaction with their local electricity service. Remarkably, that number held steady when the same question was asked again at the end of the survey — underscoring the strength of this result. In a time when consumer confidence in the public sector is fragile, Ontarians’ faith in their local utility stands out.
That faith is built on consistent community integration, evident through the activities of LDCs such as GrandBridge Energy, where employees regularly volunteer their time at local events to raise awareness of the vital role the utility plays in powering the community. At Bluewater Power, that commitment begins at the top. Their CEO, and EDA Chair, Janice McMichael-Dennis, doesn’t just speak about community: she shows up for it. Whether volunteering, championing local initiatives, or quietly supporting families in need, she leads through action. Her compassion is reflected in the way she listens, gives, and puts people first. Bluewater is on par with LDCs across Ontario, that they are proud neighbours, volunteers, and community partners.
Trust in LDCs is climbing
The survey also looked at how LDCs stack up against other traditional and municipal services. Trust in LDCs is up four per cent since 2022, placing them firmly in the upper tier alongside other essential services — and far ahead of telecommunications companies. Even more significant, among all entities in the electricity system, local utilities emerged as the most trusted, overtaking generators with a 17 per cent improvement from the last study.
Performance that earns confidence
Trust is earned, and the polling shows why. Ontarians gave LDCs strong marks for safety, reliability, billing accuracy, flexible payment options, and responsiveness during outages. Compared to 2022, every major performance indicator either held steady or improved. The most notable gains were in areas that matter directly to customers: providing energy conservation tips and tools (+8%), keeping utility costs down (+7%), quality of customer service (+7%), and community support and engagement (+7%).
What this means
These results demonstrate that as Ontario faces the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition, LDCs are ready to lead. With the public’s trust and proven performance behind, local utilities are in the best position to ensure that customers continue to receive value-for-money service — and that Ontario’s energy future is built on a foundation communities believe in.