COVID-19 Update for December 22 2020 – 1:45pm
Today, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced financial supports to help during the province-wide shutdown, which takes effect on December 26.
Support for Learners
To assist families with remote learning during the shutdown, students aged 13 through Grade 12 will be eligible for funding under an expanded Support for Learners program starting in January 2021. Parents or guardians will receive a one-time payment of $200 per eligible student to help offset education expenses. Support will be available for those who attend a public or private school or who are homeschooled.
Application instructions will be available on the Support for Learners web page next month. Secondary school student applications will be open from January 11, 2021 to February 8, 2021. The application deadline for Support for Learners for children or youth aged 0 to 12 and for children or youth aged 0 to 21 with special needs is being extended to February 8, 2021.
Electricity Prices
The government will hold electricity prices to the off-peak rate of 8.5 cents per kilowatt-hour for all time-of-use and tiered customers on a temporary basis starting January 1, 2021. This rate will be available 24 hours per day, seven days a week for a 28-day period. The off-peak price will automatically be applied to bills of all residential, small business and farm customers who pay regulated rates.