If you pay a hydro bill in Ontario, the rebate on it gets smaller in November 2026. From November 1, the Ontario Electricity Rebate is a smaller share of your bill. It drops from 23.5% to 15.7% of the bill before tax. Hydro prices set by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) also fall about 7%.
The OEB's typical home uses 700 kWh a month. Its rebate falls from about $36 to about $23 a month. That $23 is the rebate, not your bill.
What to do now: if you do not have it yet, apply for the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP). It is a separate credit for homes with low incomes and did not change. If you get the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) or Ontario Works, ask your caseworker. Anyone else can apply at OESP.ca.
The short answer
From November 1, 2026, the Ontario Electricity Rebate on your hydro bill gets smaller. It drops from 23.5% to 15.7% of your bill before tax.
Checked October 23, 2026
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Key facts · 5 facts · checked October 23, 2026ShowHide
- The Ontario Electricity Rebate drops from 23.5% to 15.7% on November 1, 2026.
- Typical 700 kWh home: rebate falls from about $36 to about $23 a month.
- Time-of-Use on-peak price falls from 20.3 to 18.9 cents per kWh.
- The OESP credit did not change. On ODSP or Ontario Works, apply through your caseworker.
- Homes cannot be disconnected for non-payment from November 15, 2026 to April 30, 2027.
Main source: Ontario Energy Board Announces Changes to Electricity Prices for Households, Small Businesses and Farms
Ontario Electricity Rebate and prices from November 1, 2026
Most residential, small business and farm customers get the rebate automatically. Prices are in cents per kWh.
| What changes | Before November 1, 2026 | From November 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario Electricity Rebate (OER) | 23.5% | 15.7% |
| Time-of-Use, off-peak | 9.8 cents | 9.1 cents |
| Time-of-Use, mid-peak | 15.7 cents | 14.6 cents |
| Time-of-Use, on-peak | 20.3 cents | 18.9 cents |
| Ultra-Low Overnight, 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. | 3.9 cents | 3.7 cents |
| Ultra-Low Overnight, weekdays 4 to 9 p.m. | 39.1 cents | 37.7 cents |
| Tiered, lower price | 12.0 cents | 11.2 cents |
| Tiered, higher price | 14.2 cents | 13.2 cents |
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Who loses the most
The OER is a percentage of your bill subtotal, so a bigger bill loses more dollars.
Example: for every $100 of bill subtotal, the rebate was $23.50 at 23.5%. At 15.7%, it is $15.70. That is $7.80 less for each $100.
Homes heated with electricity often have the biggest winter bills, so they lose the most. If you pay OEB prices, lower prices make up part of the loss.
How the OESP credit fits in
OESP amounts did not change on November 1. The credit comes on top of the OER. On ODSP or Ontario Works, you qualify automatically and apply through your caseworker.
A single person with after-tax household income of $38,000 or less can get $45 a month. In a home heated with electricity, that person can get $68 a month instead.
OESP decides about 4 to 6 weeks after it has your complete application. If approved, the credit reaches your bill about 6 to 8 weeks later. Apply soon if you need it this winter. Any credit bigger than your bill carries over to later months.
What to check
- Winter hours. From November 1 to April 30, Time-of-Use on-peak is 7 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. on weekdays. Mid-peak is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. All other times are off-peak.
- Tiered threshold. In winter, the first 1,000 kWh a month gets the lower Tiered price.
- Past-due amounts. The OER does not apply to old unpaid balances, penalties or interest.
- Behind on your bill. Homes cannot be disconnected for non-payment from November 15, 2026 to April 30, 2027.
Your next steps
- On ODSP or Ontario Works: contact your caseworker to apply for the Ontario Electricity Support Program.
- Not on ODSP or Ontario Works: apply online at OESP.ca (fastest), by mail or through an intake agency. See the OESP FAQ.
- Before switching plans, read the OEB's Choosing your electricity price plan.
- Check the OER line on your first bill after November 1.
- See the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit and Northern Ontario Energy Credit.
Questions people ask
Is the Ontario Electricity Rebate going down in November 2026?
Yes. On November 1, 2026, the OER drops from 23.5% to 15.7% of the bill subtotal. For the OEB's typical 700 kWh home, the rebate falls from about $36 to about $23 a month. It is automatic for most customers.
Will my hydro bill go up in November 2026?
The OEB gave no dollar figure for total bills. Prices set by the OEB fall about 7%, but the rebate also gets smaller. The OEB says the overall rate of increase for bills stays in line with past years. Bigger bills lose the most rebate.
Can I get OESP and the Ontario Electricity Rebate together?
Yes. The OESP is a separate credit that did not change, and you get it on top of the OER. ODSP and Ontario Works recipients qualify automatically and apply through their caseworker. The standard credit ranges from $35 to $75 a month, depending on household size and after-tax income.
How do I switch from Time-of-Use to Tiered or Ultra-Low Overnight?
Fill in your utility's election form, from the utility or its website. To stay on your plan, do nothing. The OEB says savings are not guaranteed and depend on how much power you use and when. Switching does not affect your OER or OESP eligibility.