Horizon Utilities to Merge Announcement, Tied to LRT?

The Spec is reporting on the rumoured merger between Hamilton's (and St. Catherine's) Horizon Utilities, along with Enersource, Hydro One Brampton and Powerstream:

""A proposed merger between Enersource Corporation, Horizon Utilities Corporation, Hydro One Brampton Inc. and PowerStream Inc. would allow a new, larger company to use its collective resources to deliver a favourable impact on distribution rates, more efficient services and innovative technology for customers," reads the release. 

"The proposed merger will require negotiation of a definitive agreement that must be approved by all shareholders and will be subject to regulatory approvals." 

The merger comes out of the recommendations of Premier Kathleen Wynne's advisory council on government assets which has recommended selling Hydro One Brampton, along with the a 60 per cent stake in the Hydro One distribution system." 

I'm fairly skeptical that if this merger came to pass that there would be much in the way of reduced distribution rates. The fact that this includes Hydro One Brampton would seem to have the premier's blessing and help with her electricity plans. Does allowing this help the city with getting LRT? Sure that's a bit of a stretch, but I'm not really sure I see the benefits for Hamilton so perhaps there's a reward for allowing it to happen. 

I'm guessing that Hamilton won't be the headquarters of the combined company and that the higher up jobs will end up moving somewhere else and potentially any job that doesn't physically have to be in Hamilton could move (i.e. billing). Hamilton already suffers enough with so many provincial jobs being concentrated in Toronto.

Hamilton will also have far less control compared to what they exert over Horizon Utilities.

The Spec article says that councilor Sam Merulla opposes merger and the press release says that all the shareholders must approve the deal so perhaps it can be derailed.