Bill 197 2002

An Act to amend the
Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998
to require notice to consumers
where there is a rate increase
in energy prices

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

1. Section 36 of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 is amended by adding the following subsections:

Notice of rate increase to consumers

(7.1) If, in approving or fixing the rates, the order of the Board increases the rate for the sale of gas to consumers, the order shall provide that the increased rate does not apply until after the gas distributors and storage companies have provided consumers with 30-days written notice of the increase.

Definition

(7.2) In this section,

"consumer" means an individual who consumes gas for personal, family or household purposes.

2. The Act is amended by adding the following section:

Notice of rate increase to consumers

79.1 If, in approving or fixing a rate for the retailing of electricity under section 78 or in approving the rate for the delivery of electricity to rural or remote consumers under section 79, the rate for consumers increases, the order of the Board shall provide that the increased rate does not apply until after the distributor has provided consumers with 30-days written notice of the increase.

Commencement

3. This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

4. The short title of this Act is the Ontario Energy Board Amendment Act, 2002.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill amends the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 to require that consumers be given 30-days written notice when there is an increase in gas or electricity rates.