TORONTO -- Electricity bills for most Ontario households will increase an average of $137 next year because of changes to Liberal government programs.
The 10 per cent rebate on all hydro bills -- the so-called clean energy benefit averaging $17 a month -- will end on Jan 1.
At the same time, the debt retirement charge of roughly $5.60 a month, used to pay off old nuclear program costs, will also come off bills.
The government is also starting a rebate program of $20 to $50 a month for low-income residents.
That will add about 70 cents a month to hydro bills for other customers, depending on how many people apply for the discounts.
The sliding scale of hydro rebates will depend on the size of a family as well as its income level.