News Update

A Sarnia-based charity is working to raise awareness about a provincial energy-bill relief program for lower-income households. The Inn of the Good Shepherd, which operates a food bank, emergency shelters, and other programs, is trying to inform people about the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP).

According to Melissa Roushorne, a spokesperson for the Inn, many people who visit the charity are not aware of the program. The OESP, which was launched in 2016 by the Ontario Energy Board, provides credits ranging from $35 to $75 to eligible households. The income cutoff for the program is $71,000, and the amount of the credit varies based on household size.

The Inn of the Good Shepherd is the only official intake agency for the program in Lambton County, and staff are available to help with questions and applications. Anyone who meets the income eligibility criteria and has an individual electricity meter can apply for the program.

Executive director Jack Christine noted that the application process is relatively quick, and applications are accepted year-round. However, it can take six to eight weeks to process an application. Additionally, some individuals may be eligible for extra benefits, such as those who use electric heating, electricity-intensive medical devices, or are eligible Indigenous customers.

The Inn has been helping with program intake since at least 2023, and the number of approved applications has been increasing. In 2023, 171 applications were approved, followed by 150 in 2024, and 192 in 2025. Between May 2025 and May 2026, 231 applications were approved.

Roushorne stated that it is unclear why the number of applications is increasing, but the charity hopes to continue to raise awareness about the program and encourage more people to apply. The Inn’s rent and utility coordinator, Tiana Le Blanc, emphasized that every little bit of support helps when it comes to paying bills, and that the OESP can help keep people from needing other Inn programs.

The Inn of the Good Shepherd serves over 2,000 people per month through its food bank, and staff hope that the OESP will provide additional support to those in need. People do not need to be clients of the Inn to apply for the program, and the charity encourages anyone who may be eligible to come in and discuss the program with staff.

Article and image source: theobserver.ca