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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, April 9, 2015 | 18 Low-income earners to get break on hydro bill: Halton MPP by Michael Gregory Metroland Media Halton The Province is proposing a new plan to make electricity used by low-income earners more affordable by implementing a monthly credit starting next year, Halton MPP Indira NaidooHarris announced late last month. "Compared to other residential consumers in the province, low-income Ontarians spend a proportionately higher percentage of their income on electricity per month," NaidooHarris said at the Habitat for Humanity Halton/ Mississauga location in Burlington. The proposed Ontario Electricity Support Program will be run through the Ontario Energy Board. On-bill relief for hydro customers will be based on a sliding scale and eligibility determined based on household size and income. According to the Wynne government, a family of four with an annual income of less than $28,000, would be eligible for a total annual savings of $455 annually, or $38 per month. The Liberals are also eliminating the Debt Retirement Charge, which is expected to save hydro customers $6 a month. Both moves take Indira Naidoo-Harris effect Jan. 1, 2016. Halton MPP Naidoo-Harris said a low-income family's hydro bill accounts for 10 per cent or more of its total income, on average, when consuming 800-kilowatt hours of electricity per month. Comparatively, a household using the same amount of hydro, but with an income of $100,000, would find the bill only represents around two per cent of total earnings. "In this day and age, this is simply not acceptable," she said. "Families should never have to choose between putting food on their tables and turning on the lights." The Liberal's proposal, if approved, will replace the Ontario Clean Energy Benefit that's schedule to end as of Dec. 31. It currently provides a 10 per cent rebate to more than four million residential consumers, and approximately 400,000 small businesses and farms. "This program (Ontario Electricity Support Program) will be critical to so many families and we can't afford to let them down," said Naidoo-Harris about the need to implement the program. At the announcement Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon said eliminating coalfired power plant and upgrading existing infrastructure had spiked hydro rates. "We're all paying a little bit more for cleaner air and a more efficient system," she said. Ontario Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli told reporters at Queen's Park earlier that the average Ontario hydro bill will go up about $120 a year as a result of the changes. The cost increase to more affluent taxpayers under the new program is a worthwhile investment, and a "huge gift" to those in need, McMahon noted. "We know that Ontarians are willing to pay this; we feel as though people are generous and will look at this as a cost that can borne by all of us," she said. "It's an investment in the health and wellbeing of those that are less fortunate." -- with files from the Toronto Star You get just one funeral. Make it the one you want. You are unique. Your life is unlike any other. By pre-planning your final arrangements now, you can choose the options that reflect how you want to be remembered. What's more, you can save thousands of dollars and protect family from uncertainty about your wishes. GTAA Annual Public Meeting The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) hereby gives notice of its Annual Public Meeting relating to the management, operation, and maintenance of Toronto Pearson International Airport (Toronto Pearson). The GTAA manages and operates Toronto Pearson which served approximately 39 million passengers in 2014. Information about the GTAA and Toronto Pearson is available at www.torontopearson.com. Take the first step: Ask us about your FREE Planning Kit! 905-257-1100 Look for us on Facebook glenoaks.ca Glen Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery by Arbor Memorial Arbor Memorial Inc. Plannin g Kit! Family Owned. Proudly Canadian. FREE The Annual Public Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at 1:30 p.m. in Terminal 1, Departures Level, Lounge 15. Parking will be validated. By Order of the Board of Directors Selma M. Lussenburg Corporate Secretary 3164 Ninth Line (403 & Dundas St.), Miss./Oakville, ON Have a toothache? We can fix that! HEARING AID SPECIAL (Clients portion) *Some Conditions Apply Up to 3 Year Service Warranty HOME VISITS AVAILABLE $295 Latest Technology In Hopedale Mall, next to the CIBC 1515 Rebecca Street, Unit 38, Oakville 60 DAY GUARANTEE: FREE Hearing test · Age 55+ 330 Dundas St. E. Oakville 905-257-3182 info@klerdental.ca www.klerdental.ca Open evenings & saturdays www.hearingclinicgroup.com Hopedale Hearing Clinic 905-827-7333