TORONTO - Only about seven per cent of eligible families have applied for a program that starts in the new year to help low-income Ontarians pay their electricity bills.
About 34,000 of 500,000 eligible households have applied for assistance under the Ontario Electricity Support Program, which will provide ongoing rate reduction directly on hydro bills.
Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli expects more people will sign up for the reduced electricity bills once they learn about it, and promises more advertising and public awareness campaigns.
The Progressive Conservatives say the government is collecting $145 million from other ratepayers to cover the cost of the support program, and wants to make sure any money that isn't used doesn't go into general revenues.
PC Leader Patrick Brown says there's significant anger and frustration around the province about overbilling for electricity, and wants the Liberal government to make sure more people apply for the support program.
