The Liberal government says the budget for its financial support program for low-income electricity customers is up to $225 million – and that only about $12 million, or 5 per cent, went to “start-up costs” like advertising and consultants.

The Progressive Conservatives came storming out of the gate Tuesday morning with questions about $11.7 million spent on ads and consultants the Ontario Energy Board relied upon to get the Ontario Electricity Support Program up and running. The OESP reduces the electricity bills of low-income Ontarians by between $30 and $50 a month – but it must also be applied for.

“I didn’t realize that it was a subsidy program for Liberal consultants and ad people,” said PC Leader Patrick Brown during Tuesday’s question period. “This is money meant for low-income families, not high-priced Liberal consultants.”

Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault replied that the OESP – which began last year – is still a “brand-new” program and that people need to know about it to apply for it. He said 145,000 families have signed up for the OESP, one-third of all those who are eligible.

“We’re going to continue to work hard to make sure that every family knows about this program, rather than this party just shaking their fist at it,” said Thibeault.

A Ministry of Energy spokesperson added later that the budget for the OESP is “up to $225 million.”

“Of that, $12 million – just 5 per cent – was allocated to initial start-up costs to administer, design, run and promote the program to make sure that Ontarians get the help they need,” said the spokesperson. “It is not uncommon for governments at all three levels to set aside a one-time payment to promote and raise awareness of a new program.”

The money was used to streamline the application process and, the spokesperson said, to help the OEB (which runs the program) create “a non-political ad campaign across Ontario which included being featured in radio, print, newsletters, social media, transit shelters (275 locations), and bill inserts.”

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Seen: Government defends $11.7M in ads and consultants for electricity support program

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