Bill 55 2002

An Act to amend the
Electricity Act, 1998
to protect consumers

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

1. The Electricity Act, 1998 is amended by adding the following section:

Only distributors may market electricity
to consumers

26.1 (1) No person other than a distributor shall sell or offer to sell electricity to a consumer.

Certain new contracts without effect

(2) A contract for the sale of electricity that is made between a consumer and a person other than a distributor on or after the day the Electricity Amendment Act (Consumer Protection), 2002 comes into force is without effect.

Certain existing contracts voidable

(3) A contract for the sale of electricity that is made between a consumer and a person other than a distributor before the day the Electricity Amendment Act (Consumer Protection), 2002 comes into force is voidable in accordance with subsection (4).

Notice

(4) The consumer is entitled to avoid a contract described in subsection (3) at any time by giving the seller 15 days' written notice of the fact that the consumer will cease to be bound by the contract.

Advertising

(5) The Minister shall ensure that subsections (1) to (4) are advertised in ways that will bring them to public attention.

Commencement

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

Short title

3. The short title of this Act is the Electricity Amendment Act (Consumer Protection), 2002.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill amends the Electricity Act, 1998 to provide that only distributors may sell electricity to consumers. Contracts for the sale of electricity to consumers by other retailers are without effect if made after the Bill receives Royal Assent and voidable by the consumer if made before that time. The Minister of Environment and Energy is required to advertise the amendments to bring them to public attention.