Community News

RESIDENTS FEEL SQUEEZE AS HEATING PRICES RISE

JESSE COLE jessedaniel.cole@gmail.com

When did it become unaffordable to live? That's the question Simcoe County resident Oralee Richardson asks herself each time she opens her heating bill.

The rising cost of natural gas and other fuels has left many residents unsure how they'll make ends meet when it comes to heating their homes.

According to a 2022 statement issued by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), as well as statements by Enbridge, the reason for hikes include the war in Ukraine, high demand for liquified natural gas and changes in climate, prompting increased usage in summer and winter.

"My bill in December was $352 and in January $386," said Richardson, who lives in Orillia. "I'm not used to paying almost $400 for heat."

Richardson and her husband retired several years ago, but Richardson said she's returned to

"When you have to pay that amount, you have to choose between heat and groceries."

– Oralee Richardson

work to mitigate the rising cost of living.

As an older adult , she wonders how those on fixed incomes, such as the Canadian Pensions Plan (CPP) or Old Age Security (OAS), can survive.

"If you're a senior that has to pay rent ... you have no money," she said. Those receiving CPP and OAS can receive a maximum of just under $2,000 monthly if they're under 75 and slightly more than $2,000 if they're over 75. But, often, they receive less than that.

"Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a pension coming in from another agency when they hit their golden years," Richardson said. "When you have to pay that amount, you have to choose between heat and groceries."

Beyond returning to work, Richardson has made other lifestyle changes.

"We're using an electric fireplace in the living room and a heater on wheels in the back of the house, so we can turn down the furnace, but now my electric bill will go up," she said. "It blows my mind the amount of money everyone's charging. It's like, when does it stop?"

Simcoe-grey MPP Terry Dowdall said his constituency offices have been fielding many calls in recent months about the rising cost of living, including the rising cost of natural gas and propane.

"It's been right across the board," he said. "It's affecting all ages and all demographics, whether they own or if they rent, if the rent doesn't include the heat or the hydro." He said people in rural areas, including farmers, who can only use propane as a heating fuel, are also feeling squeezed.

"Those costs are huge for them, a lot higher than even us in town because of how much they have to use," he said.

The Conservative Party has floated unsuccessful proposals to remove the carbon tax from home heating. Dowdall said his party believes the best way to provide relief to residents is to remove the carbon tax from heating bills, and to also temporarily remove the HST portion during this period of high inflation.

"It's not like you really have a choice on that," he said. "It's not a vice like alcohol or cigarettes. When it comes to heat, we have to make sure we can keep people's lights on and houses warm. So we

wanted it exempted, and we want to scrap the carbon taxes on it, because there really is no choice for a lot of individuals."

Natural gas prices have declined slightly since Jan. 1, with Enbridge's next rate adjustment planned for April.

A representative from Enbridge said predicting whether rates will rise or fall in April is

difficult to do, given the many factors that influence the market.

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: After multiple conversations with people about their rising home heating bills, Simcoe.com decided to take a look at what is driving up the cost of natural and how people are coping with the added expense.

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2023-03-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-03-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

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