I beg to disagree with you GWR with regard to Ontario's economy. There is, nor was, anything wrong other than American dollar losing value and thus less manufacturing trade that both of these provinces depend on.
And what legitimate energy strategy should they follow. They essentially have very little energy, unless you mean hydro and nuclear generated electricity - Should they nor send any of it south? Northern Ontario's lumber business is suffering due to similar reasons.
Ontario accounting for 40% of canada's economy is in danger of having a recession per some canadian financial analysts ( now one percent growth ).

If anyone manages the economy on this scene it is the federal government and all they do is lower interest rates and blame Ontario that their problem stems from having too high corporate taxes. Yet there was no problem with those same taxes only a few years ago.
Talk about deflecting the blame especially when there is a possibility of an election any day.

Last of all, Harper follows Bush's lead when it comes to the economy and politics hence they bypassed the deputy governor of BofC ( he was expected by many canadians to take over ) for the Goldman alumnus.

A couple of months ago I said that I expected the Looney to drop to 0.95 in late February and early March and then pick up in April. Well it seems to be happening but with a delayed time scale. Looney will rise until the next interest rate drop about which I concur could be in weeks but judging by recent past, probably in a few months.