January 1, 2011

McGuinty Government Helping Families With Energy Costs, Increasing Consumer Protections

The McGuinty government is helping families by providing 10 per cent off their electricity bills with the new Ontario Clean Energy Benefit. Strong new rules and safeguards will also protect Ontarians from unfair practices by energy retailers.Ontario’s Long-Term Energy Plan is moving the province to clean sources of power while shutting down coal plants that pollute the air we breathe. Upgrading and modernizing Ontario’s energy infrastructure is helping to provide reliable power to homes and businesses and is creating thousands of jobs for Ontarians in the growing clean energy sector.

To make this transition a bit easier for families, the Ontario government is providing 10 per cent off electricity bills for the next five years. Starting this month, households, farms and small businesses will automatically receive the Ontario Clean Energy Benefit.

Also starting January 1, all energy retailers are required to follow strong new rules under the Energy Consumer Protection Act. This includes offering a comparison of a contract price to the price offered by the local utility company. The new rules will ensure consumers receive accurate information from energy retailers before signing a contract, and will limit consumer penalties and fees when a contract is cancelled.

Helping Ontario families and businesses, while building a clean energy economy and creating jobs is an important part of the McGuinty government’s Open Ontario Plan to attract investment and provide cleaner air for our children and grandchildren.