Ontario slashing electricity rates amid COVID-19 crisis
Published March 24, 2020 at 5:56 pm
On March 24, the Province of Ontario announced that it’s suspending time-of-use rates for 45 days.
For the 45-day period, the government is working to suspend time-of-use electricity rates, holding electricity prices to the off-peak rate of 10.1 cents-per-kilowatt-hour.
The province says this reduced price will be available 24 hours per day, seven days a week to all time-of-use customers, who make up the majority of electricity consumers in the province.
The province says customers will see rate reductions of over 50 per cent compared to on-peak rates.
The discount will be applied automatically to electricity bills without the need for customers to fill out an application form.
“During this unprecedented time, we are providing much-needed relief to Ontarians, specifically helping those who are doing the right thing by staying home and small businesses that have closed or are seeing fewer customers,” said Premier Doug Ford in a statement.
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“By adopting a fixed, 24/7 off-peak rate, we are making things a little easier during these difficult times and putting more money in people’s pockets for other important priorities and necessities.”
The Government of Ontario issued an Emergency Order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to apply the off-peak TOU electricity rate for residential, small businesses, and farm customers who currently pay TOU rates.
The province also says the Ontario Energy Board has extended the winter ban on disconnections to July 31.
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