Province announces financial relief ahead of lockdown

THUNDER BAY - As people across Ontario prepare for the upcoming lockdown, the province is expanding programs to offer financial relief to families and businesses.

On Tuesday, the provincial government announced it is expanding its Support for Learners program to include secondary students, while also holding electricity prices to off-peak rates during the lockdown.

"We are asking people to make greater sacrifices to help contain this deadly virus, whether that's staying home or asking their employees to work from home where possible," said Premier Doug Ford in a statement. "In response, our government is providing people and businesses with additional financial relief to help them get through this very difficult period."

Students aged 13 through Grade 12 will now be eligible for funding under the Support for Learners program. In January, parents or guardians can apply for a one-time payment of $200 per student to help offset education expenses.

During the province-wide lockdown, students in Northern Ontario will be learning virtually until Jan. 11.  

"While Ontario schools remain safe, we won't take any chances following the holidays — we will pivot to teacher-led online learning to help protect against the spread of COVID-19 in our communities," said Minister of Education Stephen Lecce. "We are providing direct financial support to parents of elementary and now high school children to help them get through this pandemic."

Applications for funding are open from Jan. 11 to Feb. 8. The deadline to apply for funding available to youth between the ages of 0 and 12-years-old and youth with special needs between the ages of 0 and 21-years-old, which was announced last month as part of the Support for Learners program, has also been extended to Feb. 8, 2021.

The province also announced it will be hold electricity prices to off-peak rates at 8.5 cents per-kilowatt-hour for all time-of-use and tiered customers on a temporary basis starting Jan. 1.

The rate will be applied 24-hours a day, seven days a week for a period of 28 days and will be automatically applied to hydro bills.

"As we enter a Province wide Shutdown, our government is ensuring that all households have stable and predictable electricity bills when they need it most," said Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, Minister of Indigenous Affairs. "Staying home means using more electricity, especially during the day when electricity prices are usually higher. We will continue to support hardworking families and small businesses doing their part by staying home."

Financial assistance is also available through the COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program. Residential property owners, small businesses, or registered charity customers with an overdue electricity or natural gas bill will now be eligible to receive up to $750 to help cover electricity bills and an additional $750 for their natural gas bill.

Small businesses can receive up to $1,500 for each. Newly eligible customers can apply for these enhanced benefits through their local utility, starting in January 2021.