Energy contracts

Before you enter into an energy contract for your electricity or natural gas, be sure to do your homework.
Consumer protection

Has an energy retailer ever approached you at your home? Before you enter into an energy contract for your electricity or natural gas, be sure to do your homework. Compare prices, and read and understand what you are agreeing to. This page has important information to help you understand energy contracts and your rights. If after reading this, you’re interested in finding out more about the options that may be available, the bottom of this page lists the websites of energy retailers that are currently offering energy contracts to residential and small business consumers in Ontario.

On this page

 

Quick facts

Know your rights.

  • The energy retailer’s salesperson must give you a business card and show their company ID badge.
  • Your utility bill is private. It contains personal information like your account number and energy usage. The energy retailer only needs this information if you decide to enter into an energy contract.

 

Energy retailers are not your utility, the government or the OEB.

  • We license energy retailers, but we do not regulate the prices they offer.

 

Energy retailers can’t sign you up for a contract while they are at your home.

  • Energy retailers can come to your home at certain times and give you information but may not leave a copy of a contract with you.
  • You have a choice: You may decide to enter into an energy contract with a licensed energy retailer or purchase your electricity or natural gas from your utility. Energy contract prices are not regulated by the Ontario Energy Board.
  • Your home will continue to have natural gas or electricity whether or not you enter into an energy contract.
  • With, or without, an energy contract, you will be eligible for conservation and other programs from government or your utility.

 

Savings are not guaranteed.

  • An energy contract may not save you money. Do your homework. Take the time to review and compare the contract offer and the prices charged by your utility. Make sure you understand what you will pay under the contract.

 

Use the OEB's Bill Calculator to compare prices

  • Before you enter into an energy contract, get a current price comparison. Use your own utility bill, the contract price offer and the OEB’s bill calculator.

 

Next steps: If you choose a contract. 

  • If at a later date you decide to move forward with an energy contract, the retailer must give you certain documents so that you can make an informed decision: the energy contract, a disclosure statement and a price comparison. Make sure you read all the information.

 

Learn more about energy contracts

We also have other information and tools to help you make an informed decision:

  1. Before signing up
  2. After you sign up
  3. Nearing the end of an energy contract: How renewals and extensions work

 

Complaints against energy retailers

One of our jobs is to establish rules that protect residential and small business consumers in their dealing with energy retailers. We also ensure licensed energy retailers follow the laws and rules that protect consumers, which include:

We’re working to protect you when we:

  • License energy retailers
  • Help you work through issues you’re having with energy retailers
  • Investigate cases where an energy retailer is suspected of breaking the rules
  • Take enforcement action in appropriate cases if we find that an energy retailer has broken the rules
  • Provide you with information about your rights and responsibilities when entering into energy contracts.

If we find that an energy retailer has broken the rules, we can take enforcement action. For example, we can impose a penalty or fine of up to $1 million per day or suspend or take away an energy retailer’s licence.  

The steps for taking enforcement action are set out in legislation, and the energy retailer is given a chance to present its side of the story before we make our final decision.

 

List of energy retailers currently selling contracts in Ontario

Now that you know the facts and your rights - that you don't have to sign a contract and that savings are not guaranteed - if you’re interested in offers that might be available, here's a list of active retailers' websites currently selling contracts to residential and small business consumers in Ontario. These will open in a separate window so you can still refer back to our website and use our bill calculator to compare offers with your utility bill. You can also view the Certificates of Compliance and Annual Self-Certifications for active energy retailers.

Electricity

Natural Gas

 

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