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- calendar_today October 20, 2026
Ontario Electricity Rebate Reduced This November
Ontario’s electricity rates are set to decrease beginning November 1, but thousands of provincial customers will see smaller monthly savings as the Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER) is reduced. The rebate, which helps lower electricity bills across the province, will drop from 23 per cent to 15.7 per cent—an almost eight per cent decrease. As a result, the typical bill reduction for residential electricity users will shrink this winter.
How Will the Ontario Electricity Rebate Affect Your Bill?
The OER applies automatically to all residential customers, small businesses, and small- to mid-sized farm customers. According to provincial figures, a household using 700 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per month will now save $23 monthly, down from $36 previously. For larger farms that consume more than 50 kW or 250,000 kWh annually, a self-declaration form must be submitted to receive the rebate.
Overview of Electricity Price Plans
Ontario electricity customers have three main price plan options to choose from, each offering different rates and approaches to electricity savings:
- Time-of-Use (TOU): Electricity prices fluctuate depending on the time of day, season, and day of the week.
- Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO): Designed for those who use most of their electricity at night, encouraging off-peak energy use.
- Tiered Price Plans: Charges a flat rate up to a certain monthly limit, then a higher rate for additional electricity beyond that threshold.
Changes to Electricity Rates Under Each Price Plan
Time-of-Use (TOU) Rates
- Off-peak (weekdays 7 p.m.–7 a.m., weekends, and holidays): 9.1 cents per kWh, down from 9.8 cents.
- Mid-peak (weekdays 11 a.m.–5 p.m.): 14.6 cents per kWh, down from 15.7 cents.
- On-peak (weekdays 7–11 a.m., 5–7 p.m.): 18.9 cents per kWh, previously 20.3 cents.
Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO) Rates
- Every day, 11 p.m.–7 a.m.: 3.7 cents per kWh, previously 3.9 cents.
- Weekends and holidays, 7 a.m.–11 p.m.: 9.1 cents per kWh, down from 9.8 cents.
- Mid-peak weekdays (7 a.m.–4 p.m., 9–11 p.m.): 14.6 cents per kWh, down from 15.7 cents.
- On-peak weekdays (4–9 p.m.): 37.7 cents per kWh, down from 39.1 cents.
Tiered Rate Plan Changes
Under the tiered price plan, customers pay a set rate for a predetermined amount of monthly electricity use, with a higher rate for additional consumption. For residential consumers, the first 1,000 kWh per month is billed at 11.2 cents per kWh, reduced from 12 cents. Any usage above 1,000 kWh is priced at 13.2 cents per kWh, lowered from 14.2 cents. Non-residential customers pay the lower rate up to their first 750 kWh per month before moving to the higher rate.
What Should You Consider?
Even as some per-kWh rates fall, overall bill savings will be smaller for most Ontario electricity customers due to the reduced rebate. It’s important for households, small businesses, and farm customers to assess their electricity usage and price plan to maximize potential savings. The Ontario Energy Board provides more detailed information and tools to help customers compare the available options and select the best plan for their needs.
How to Access the Rebate
For the majority of residential customers, small businesses, and qualifying farms, no action is required to receive the OER. Larger farms must submit a self-declaration form to be eligible. Customers can consult their monthly electricity bill or reach out to their utility provider to review their current plan and determine whether switching could offer better savings given the new rates and rebate levels.
Source: nowtoronto.com.
