Ontario demands same federal support for energy as Newfoundland is promised

TORONTO - Ontario says it's unfair for the Conservatives to promise billions of dollars to help Newfoundland and Labrador develop the Lower Churchill hydro electric project without helping Ontario too.

Premier Dalton McGuinty came out swinging at Prime Minister Stephen Harper's pledge of a $4.2-billion loan guarantee for the large Newfoundland power project.

McGuinty says 40 per cent of all federal spending comes from Ontario tax dollars, and he wants "equal treatment" from Ottawa when it comes to energy projects.

He says "Ontarians will not stand by and let their tax dollars be used by the federal government to subsidize electricity rates in other parts of the country."

McGuinty won't put a dollar figure on what he wants from Ottawa, but says he'll be putting the issue to all the federal leaders.

The Liberal premier says Ottawa has been pretty good at supporting the oil and gas sector in western Canada too, so he wants to see Ontario get its fair share.

Quebec Premier Jean Charest has also condemned the federal assistance for the Lower Churchill project, calling it an unfair subsidy.