TORONTO — A senior Ontario government source says the premier will announce today that hydro rates will be temporarily lowered as many people work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The source, who wasn’t authorized to discuss the announcement publicly, says it will be done by moving all of the current time-of-use pricing to off-peak rates.
As first reported by the Globe and Mail, it’s expected families will save more than $20 per month, small businesses will save $150 and farms will save more than $300.
The new pricing structure will be in place for 45 days.
The source says the move will cost about $162 million.
Ontario has ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses in the province starting tonight.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 24, 2020.