NY -- Standard&Poor's CreditWire 5/19/98 -- Standard&Poor's today affirmed its double-`A'-minus long-term debt and issuer credit ratings on the Province of Ontario. Standard&Poor's also affirmed its `A-1'-plus commercial paper and short-term issuer credit rating on the Province. Additionally, Standard&Poor's affirmed its double-`A'-minus senior unsecured debt rating on the provincially owned and guaranteed Ontario Hydro, and its `A-1'-plus short-term issuer credit ratings on the utility. The rating outlook remains stable. The ratings reflect: -- The government's unwavering commitment to its balanced budget goal established for fiscal 2001 (year ending March 31), though the pace of deficit-reduction remains gradual as a result of concomitant personal income tax rate reductions; and -- The robust and
