Ontario not offering off-peak hydro rate during second Stay-at-Home order

Ontario is not offering discounted electricity rates during the province’s second Stay-at-Home order like it did earlier in the pandemic.

A spokesperson for Ontario’s Energy Minister said the province is focusing on electricity relief through the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP).

“Customers in need of financial assistance can apply for CEAP through their local utility,” Alex Puddifant told Daily Hive via email.

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He added customers who are working from home might consider switching from time-of-use electricity rates to the tiered rate option, which offers a flat rate at all hours of the day.

During the first province-wide Stay-at-Home order this winter, Ontario converted hydro rates for all hours of the day to their cheaper off-peak rate of 8.5 cents per kilowatt-hour.

“We know staying at home means using more electricity during the day when electricity prices are higher, that’s why we are extending the off-peak electricity rate to provide households, small businesses and farms with stable and predictable electricity bills when they need it most,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, said at the time.

Energy rates in Ontario vary from 8.5 cents per kilowatt-hour to 17.6 cents per kilowatt-hour, depending on what time customers use the electricity.

Ontario Energy Board