KENORA – POLITICS – Electricity costs have been a longstanding issue for many Northwestern Ontario residents. In this day and age, people shouldn’t have to choose between buying food and heating their home no matter where they live in Canada. That’s why I applaud the provincial government’s recent step to help reduce energy costs through the Ontario Fair Hydro Plan.
On Thursday, March 2, 2017, Premier Wynne announced that the provincial government would be lowering electricity bills by an average of 25 per cent for residential customers, beginning this summer. This 25 per cent decrease includes the 8 per cent rebate introduced in January.
More importantly, for the riding of Kenora, we could see reductions of up to 50 per cent based on their electricity consumption through the Fair Hydro Plan and the Rural or Remote Rate Protection (RRRP) Program. Taken together, these changes will deliver the single-largest reduction to electricity rates in Ontario’s history.
Specific to the region, the Northern Ontario Energy Credit will offer individuals up to $148 per year and families $227 per year. The Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) is now available to even more low income consumers. By applying online you can receive $360-$425 per year, off your bill.
The Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit offers up to $1,023 per year in tax credits if you are a low to moderate-income family, and up to $1,165 if you are an eligible senior.
For many of these credits you must apply in order to receive them. I strongly encourage you to go online to the Province’s Fair Hydro Plan website<https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontarios-fair-hydro-plan> and find out what you’re eligible for. This plan will help many families in Northwestern Ontario, and I am very pleased to see Premier Wynne taking these bold steps to make hydro more affordable for everyone.
Hon. Bob Nault MP
Kenora
