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Additional Support For Those Struggling With Energy Bills

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The Ontario Government says its providing stability and greater customer choice, while helping those struggling to pay their energy bills as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

The new COVID-19 Recovery Rate of 12.8 cents per kilowatt hour is now in effect and will be in place until October 31st.

Minister of Energy and Northern Development and Mines Greg Rickford says the fixed rate will apply to customers 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

Rickford notes starting November 1st, customers will be able to choose a plan that best suits their household and lifestyle with the option of either time-of-use electricity rates or tiered pricing, which will provide a set rate for electricity up to a certain level of consumption.

The Kenora-Rainy River MPP has also extended the Ontario Energy Board’s winter disconnection ban until July 31st to ensure no one is disconnected from their natural gas or electricity service.

Other initiatives announced Monday by Rickford:

-$9 million for the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) to support consumers struggling to pay their energy bills during the pandemic. CEAP will provide one-time payments to consumers to help pay down any electricity bill debt incurred over the cornavirus period. Applications will be available through local utilities in July.

-$8 million for the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program for Small Business (CEAP-SB) to provide support to businesses struggling with bill payments as a result of the outbreak.

Rickford says “We recognize that businesses and families are living with a great deal of uncertainty, and they need to know what they can expect when they open their electricity bills every month.”

Rickford says he recognizes that electricity prices will go up a bit for some consumers but notes it’s still cheaper than regular time-of-use rates, almost double that at peak.

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Dryden Set To Extend Penalty Grace Period

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Dryden Council has tentatively agreed to suspend penalties and finance charges on amounts owing on property taxes and water and sewer bills until June 30th.

The COVID-19 relief was scheduled to expire at the end of April.

Mayor Greg Wilson fully supports the decision.

“I think it’s a prudent step that we take. We know that people are going to have a difficult time paying their bills.”

He adds “It’s going to cost us something but we can always change our path should we get to mid-June and decide we need to take some other course of action. But I think it’s prudent right now to go forward with this.”

Councillor Michelle Price fully supports the measure but would like to see it go one step further.

“Other businesses that are not operating at all and still are paying the base rate on water and sewer and they have no income coming in whatsoever.”

Price is suggesting the elimination of the base rate for impacted businesses.

“I know it’s understandable to say that we don’t know which businesses are closed down 100%. We don’t know which businesses are getting government help. But there are businesses that do not qualify for the CERB and other government funding.”

Councillor Shayne MacKinnon suggested a reduction in the fixed water and sewer rate for everyone.

Treasurer Steven Lansdell-Roll cautions a 20% reduction would cost the City $32,800 each month.

No other relief options are being considered at this time, but council and staff will be monitoring the situation on a consistent basis.

The updated COVID-19 relief measure is expected to be approved at the April 27th “virtual” Council meeting.