Your energy credit cheque is in the mail

Nipissing MPP Monique Smith
News Release

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This month, more than half of all northerners will have more money in their pockets through the Northern Ontario Energy Credit. It will provide about $35 million to approximately 250,000 families and individuals. This is the first of two payments to help northerners with their energy costs.

Ontarians living in Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Timiskaming can still apply for the credit until June 30, 2011.

This is part of the province’s Open Ontario plan to help strengthen the northern economy and help Ontarians manage the costs of turning on more clean power and turning off coal. The government is also helping people by:

• Taking 10 per cent off monthly electricity bills for families, farms and small businesses starting January 1, 2011, under the proposed Ontario Clean Energy Benefit;

• Moving the Time-of-Use off-peak period for electricity to 7 p.m. which will provide an additional 10 hours every week in the lowest cost period;

• Helping low- to middle-income seniors and other Ontarians with the sales tax on energy and with property taxes through the enhancement of the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, which provides up to $900 back for non-seniors and up to $1,025 for seniors;

• Helping large industrials and manufacturers conserve energy, save on electricity costs and increase their competitiveness through the Industrial Conservation Initiative, starting in January 2011.

“The Northern Ontario Energy Credit is another component of Ontario’s new tax plan and recognition that things are difficult in the North,” said Monique Smith, MPP for Nipissing. “I continue to encourage residents in Nipissing to check their eligibility and apply for this credit. Applications are available at my office located, at 165 Main Street East in North Bay, and at all Service Ontario locations in northern Ontario.

“We recognize the unique circumstances faced by our northern communities, including higher energy costs. These payments will make a real difference to families and individuals in northern Ontario, and I encourage all northern residents who may be eligible for this credit to apply and take advantage of the money available to them.” — Minister of Revenue Sophia Aggelonitis

"I am very pleased that the permanent Northern Ontario Energy Credit will ease the burden of rising energy costs for people living in northern Ontario.” — Minister of Northern Development Mines and Forestry Michael Gravelle

QUICK FACTS

• The Northern Energy Tax Credit provides single Ontarians age 18 and older with a credit of up to $130, and families, including single parents with up to $200.

• Northerners only need to apply for the credit once. It will be automatically reimbursed each subsequent tax year.

• The final deadline to apply for the 2010 credit is June 30, 2011.

• This new, permanent energy credit is for residents who pay rent or property tax and meet income criteria.

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