TORONTO — The Ontario government is extending emergency electricity rate relief to families, farms and small businesses until May 31, 2020 during the COVID-19 outbreak. Customers who pay time-of-use electricity rates will continue to be billed at the lowest price, known as the off-peak price, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This electricity rate relief, initially provided for a 45-day period starting on March 24, 2020, has been extended by an emergency order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The rate relief is intended to be in place for an additional 24 days.
“Ontario is fortunate to have a strong electricity system we can rely on during these exceptional times, and our government is proud to extend this much needed emergency relief until May 31 for families, farms and small businesses paying time-of-use prices. It is critical we continue to follow the advise of medical officers and we are thankful to the millions of Ontarians doing their part by staying home,” said Thunder Bay-Fort Frances MPP Greg Rickford.
“During this extraordinary period, many people are struggling to pay the bills as they do the right thing by staying at home, as well as our farmers and those whose businesses have closed or suffered reduced customer traffic,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Although we are making progress in our fight against this COVID-19 outbreak, we are not out of the woods yet. The extension of this electricity rate relief will leave more money in people’s pockets until businesses can start to reopen and people can get back to work.”
On the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Ontario government is also extending all emergency orders that have been put in place to-date. For a full listing of the measures so far, see our website, www.fftimes.com
