The Ontario government announced that it will continue to assist provincial electricity consumers with their energy bills as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Initiatives include:

• $9 million for the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP): one-time payments to consumers to help pay down any electricity bill debt incurred over the COVID‑19 period. Applications will be available through local utilities in the upcoming months;

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

• An extension of the Ontario Energy Board's winter disconnection ban until July 31, 2020 to ensure no one is disconnected from their natural gas or electricity service during these uncertain times.

In addition, the government recently announced that it will continue the suspension of time-of-use (TOU) electricity rates and, starting on June 1, 2020, customers will be billed based on a new fixed COVID-19 Recovery Rate of 12.8 cents per kilowatt hour.

The COVID-19 Recovery Rate will be in place until October 31, 2020, followed by a new customer choice initiative. Starting November 1, 2020, customers will be able to choose  the option of either TOU electricity rates or tiered pricing, which will provide a set rate for electricity up to a certain level of consumption.

"With the financial hardships faced by so many in our province as a result of COVID-19, those struggling to pay their electricity bills need support," said Bill Walker, Associate Minister of Energy. "This program, in partnership with the Ontario Energy Board and local distribution companies, will support electricity consumers by keeping rates stable and affordable."

source: media release, Government of Ontario