Ontario Announces Lower Electricity Rates and Financial Support for High School Students

Tuesday, 22 December 2020 13:21

The Province is offering a new discounted off-peak hydro rate 24/7 during the lockdown and parents with students in high school can now apply for a one time payment of $200 per student.

ONTARIO - The Province of Ontario is expanding the the Support Learners program to include secondary students and lowering electricity prices.

The new rate is actually lower than the temporary reduced rate the Province introduced in March. The new rate is discounted off-peak rate 24/7 for all time of use and tiered customers. It will just show up on your next hydro bill, you will not need to apply for anything.

Starting next month, the Province will move Electricity prices to the off-peak rate of 8.5 centsperkilowatt-hour for all time-of-use and tiered customers on a temporary basis starting January 1, 2021. This low rate will be available 24 hours per day, seven days a week for a 28-day period. The off-peak price will automatically be applied to bills of all residential, small business, and farm customers who pay regulated rates.

Ontario is also going to provide a one-time payment of $200 for all high school students in the Province. The money is to be used to help offset education expenses. Support will be available for those who attend a public or private school or who are homeschooled.

The province is also making it easier for families and businesses to get help paying over due hydro bills. Any residential, small business, or registered charity customer with an overdue electricity or natural gas bill will now be eligible to apply. A residential customer can receive up to $750 to help cover their electricity bill and an additional $750 for their natural gas bill. Small businesses can receive up to $1500 for each. Newly eligible customers can apply for these enhanced benefits through their local utility, starting in January 2021.

You can listen to the remarks from the Premier during his daily press conference below.