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Home My WebLink AboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 2016-11-09, Page 15Call for utilities to help tenants figure costs heading into winter months Scott Dunn Owen Sound Sun Times Utility companies should be required to tell incoming residential tenants how much it may cost them for heat and hydro. That's one easy -to-do sug- gestion with possibly the big- gest benefit, Francesca Dob- byn said, from among many suggestions she made at pro- vincial consultations into Ontario's Long -Term Energy Plan recently in Barrie. Her presentation was on behalf of the United Way of Bruce Grey, where she's exec- utive director, and the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force, a col- lection of more than 34 local government and social organ- izations which has identified safe, affordable housing as a critical need. "We have people who keep moving to try and find cheaper housing and more affordable utility costs. But at this point in time, there is nothing that com- pels either a landlord or the util- ity company to say hey, this is what it is going to cost you," Dobbyn said in an interview. She said sometimes tenants find out it doesn't cost, say $50 but $250 a month for the utili- ties, and so they move again six month later, adding more costs. She estimated 10 to 15 per cent oflow-income, United Way cli- ents are constantly moving to find a cheaper place. Jobs and lack of transporta- tion or high transportation costs tend to keep people liv- ing in the same place, though people do a lot of moving in and around Owen Sound, she said. Usage varies but utility compa- nies at least could provide the monthly equal billing figures to new tenants based on the previ- ous tenant's usage, Dobbyn said. "I think it would give people a much stronger sense of what they'regettinginto' Instead, she said, her clients' experience dealing with utility companies is unpleasant. "There's always a sense in the utility companies (that) it's your problem, you figure it out:' The provincial consulta- tions began last month and the updated plan, which will project out 20 years, is to be set next spring or summer. Dobbyn said all of the sug- gestions in her presentation were well received. "There was certainly a sense from those in attendance that they had not considered the, kind of the end consumer. They were looking at the big picture - so the production side of things, the wind, the solar, the whole supply mix piece of it;" she said. Innovation was viewed as tech- nology, she said. "And when we brought for- ward ideas around, that involved people, there was a genuine reaction that oh, it never occurred to us to con- sider innovation, like people could be innovation." Other suggestions in the local submission: Control escalating utility costs to ensure Ontario maintains a sustainable sup- ply of affordable housing. Legislate disconnection policies preventing winter dis- connects, which for example Hydro One and Union Gas don't permit, but other com- panies do. Investment in additional heating system conversion programs. Provide landlords with incentives to install efficient heating systems and home insulation programs. Increase rent supplements, increase affordable housing stock, promote inclusive rental agreements which include util- ity costs hi the rent. Increase engagement with community-based organiza- tions which work with low- income people who face evic- tion over utility bills or disconnects. Wednesday, November 9, 2016 • Lucknow Sentinel 15 Shared photo Energy conservation advocate Peter Bursztyn, right, speaks to another visitor to the Long -Term Energy Plan consultation session at the Monte Carlo Inn in Barrie recently. The provincial energy ministry is holding consultations to get feedback from Ontario residents. Provide funding for agen- cies helping low-income fam- ilies manage utility usage and bills payments. Examine third party or "re - energy" providers over con- cerns low income earners and seniors are being taken advantage of. Review current delivery fee system as compared with a more equitable flat -fee rate system. See www.news.ontario.ca/ mei/en/2016/10/help- develop-ontarios-long-term- energy-plan.html for a news release announcing the con- sultation and links to docu- ments about it. AD CENTRA ANNOUNCEMENTS NOMINATE AMAZING - Recognize a young person between the ages of six -17 year with a 2016 Ontario Junior Citizen Award. Deadline is Nov. 30. Call 416-923-7724 ext. 4439 for more information. 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