Ontario has announced a COVID-19 Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) to support small businesses following the recent province-wide shutdown announcement.

On Monday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic will begin on December 26th. As a result, all non-essential businesses be restricted to curbside service, delivery, or drive thru, with grocery stores and pharmacies being limited to 50 per cent capacity.

As part of the announcement Ford said the province will provide a minimum of $10,000 and up to $20,000 to eligible small business owners to help them this latest shutdown.

Today, the province announced the CEAP for any residential, small business, or registered charity customer with an overdue electricity or natural gas bill will now can apply. As a result, residential customers can receive up to $750 to help cover their electricity bill and an additional $750 for their natural gas bill. Small businesses can receive up to $1500 for each.

Newly eligible customers can apply for these enhanced benefits through their local utility, starting in January 2021.

Additionally, The Ontario government announced that they will be freezing electricity rates at the off-peak rate of 8.5 cents per kilowatt-hour starting Jan. 1.

This rate will be available 24 hours a day for a 28-day period. It will automatically be applied to bills of all residential, small business, and farm customers who pay regulated rates.