Many Ontario municipalities own their own electrical distribution utilities, a legacy of early electricity development when local governments built power systems serving their communities. These Local Distribution Companies (LDCs) deliver electricity from the provincial grid to homes and businesses within their service areas. Municipal ownership allows communities to retain distribution revenues locally rather than sending profits to private investors, though utility operations must follow provincial regulations. Some municipalities have merged, sold, or partially privatized their utilities, while others maintain full ownership. Toronto Hydro, Alectra (serving several GTA communities), and Hydro Ottawa are among the largest municipal utilities.