I think it's very difficult to assign the good vs. bad label on any business without knowing the details of it's operation. For example, perhaps the outstanding power service you received in Canada was due to "newer" plant in the ground/aerial or at the distribution points vs. the crappy power service in the U.S. that might contain "aged" plant in the ground/aerial or at the distribution points.
The bottom line is that monetary decisions to budget, build out or replace plant is probably easier to accomplish with tax money than with private.
Of course, all it takes from a concerned citizen is a phone call/complaint to your local PUC and THAT private company will get plenty of motivation to get things corrected.....but then I'm guessing you know that.
Mike