2025 Canada Winter Energy Relief Programs: Heating Assistance by Province
2025 Winter Energy Relief Programs: Heating Assistance by Province
Thumbnail idea: A snowy Canadian street at dusk with warm light glowing from house windows and a close-up of a thermostat showing “HEAT ON” — overlaid text: “2025 Winter Energy Relief: Heating Assistance by Province”.
Winter 2025–26 is already expensive for many Canadians. Heating oil, electricity and natural gas costs are rising, and at the same time several federal programs (like Canada Greener Homes) have closed to new applicants. If you don’t know which winter energy relief programs your province offers, you could end up paying hundreds more than you need to – or worse, risk falling behind on your bill and facing collection or disconnection.
This guide walks through the major types of heating assistance by province, with practical checklists you can use before the coldest months hit. It’s designed for renters and homeowners who want to stay warm, avoid arrears, and still keep long-term upgrades (like heat pumps) on the table.
1. What Changed for Winter 2025–26?
Before you look at province-specific programs, it helps to understand the bigger 2025 context:
- Short-term bill help is mainly provincial or utility-run. Provinces and local utilities run most of the bill support programs for low- and modest-income households (rebates, on-bill credits, disconnection protections).
- Several federal retrofit programs have closed to new applicants. The Canada Greener Homes Grant stopped taking new applications in 2024, and the Canada Greener Homes Loan portal closed to new applications around October 2025, although existing files are still being processed.
- Federal Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) stays open. Low- to median-income homeowners can still access federal grants (often up to $10,000 or more in some provinces) to move from oil to efficient heat pumps – a long-term way to cut winter bills.
- Many provinces updated eligibility rules. For example, Ontario raised income thresholds for the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) in 2024, so more households can qualify for monthly bill credits on electricity.
In short: 2025–26 is the winter to combine emergency help (rebates, credits) with long-term efficiency programs (like OHPA), if you qualify.
2. Key Winter Energy Relief Programs by Province (Examples)
The list below is not exhaustive, but shows the main types of help you should look for in your province before winter bills spike.
2.1 Nova Scotia – Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP)
Nova Scotia runs one of the clearest winter heating rebates in Canada:
- Program: Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP)
- Season: 1 October 2025 – 31 March 2026
- Rebate amount: $400 per household for 2025–26 (reduced from $600 in the prior year)
- Who can qualify: Low-income families and single adults, generally around:
- Household net income up to about $45,000 (families)
- Single net income up to about $30,000 (single-person households)
- Recipients of the Guaranteed Income Supplement or provincial income assistance usually qualify automatically.
- Energy types covered: Oil, electricity, wood, pellets, natural gas and some other fuels, as long as you pay for your own heat.
Action step for Nova Scotia residents: Apply as early in the season as possible, and keep a recent heating bill ready to upload with your application (especially if it’s your first time applying or you’ve moved).
2.2 Ontario – OESP, Energy Affordability Program & Winter Disconnection Rules
Ontario uses several programs that work together to prevent winter energy hardship:
Action step for Ontario residents: Check your eligibility for OESP and EAP, and ask your utility about their winter disconnection policies and arrears payment plans if you’re already behind.
2.3 Federal – Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) Program
While day-to-day bill help is local, the federal Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) program is still one of the biggest ways to cut your heating costs over the long term if you currently heat with oil.
- Who it’s for: Low- to median-income homeowners who primarily heat their home with oil.
- What it offers: Up-front grants that can reach up to $10,000 Canada-wide, and up to $15,000 in certain “co-delivery” provinces that add their own top-ups.
- What it covers: Purchase and installation of an eligible cold-climate air source heat pump, plus certain electrical and related work.
- Timeline: The enhanced program is planned to run until around March 2027, but funds are limited and provincial partnerships vary.
Action step: If you still heat with oil and your income is modest, check OHPA eligibility as soon as possible. Switching to efficient electric heat can permanently lower your winter bills, especially when combined with local efficiency programs.
2.4 Other Provincial & Utility Programs to Watch For
Beyond the examples above, many provinces run their own winter protection or affordability measures, often in partnership with local utilities. When you search your province or utility website, look for terms like:
- “Energy affordability program” or “low-income energy assistance”
- “Winter disconnection ban” or “disconnection moratorium”
- “Emergency heat assistance” or “heating rebate”
- “Payment plan”, “arrears agreement” or “equal billing”
If you’re not sure where to start, dial 211 or visit your province’s 211 website; they maintain up-to-date lists of local energy assistance programs and can refer you to community agencies that help with applications.
3. Practical Checklist Before Heating Season
Use this short checklist to avoid surprises on your 2025–26 winter bills:
- 1. Confirm your rate plan. Check your latest electricity and gas bill:
- Are you on time-of-use, tiered, or ultra-low overnight electricity rates (where available)?
- Could a different plan fit your usage better?
- 2. Apply for any low-income programs now. Don’t wait until you’re in arrears. It can take weeks to process OESP, HARP or similar applications.
- 3. Ask about payment plans and equal billing. Spreading costs across the year can make winter spikes more manageable and may reduce the risk of disconnection.
- 4. Deal with old arrears before winter. If you already owe money, call your utility before winter and negotiate a realistic payment plan. Missing agreed payments can move you closer to disconnection.
- 5. Plan at least one efficiency upgrade. Simple DIY steps (weather-stripping doors, sealing window gaps) plus bigger upgrades (heat pumps, insulation) where programs exist can permanently lower your heating load.
4. Conclusion – Don’t Wait for the First Shut-Off Notice
Winter 2025–26 is the first season where many Canadians are facing higher heating costs without several of the federal rebates that softened past winters. The good news: provincial winter energy relief programs still exist – but you have to apply early and know which ones fit your situation.
If you take one thing from this guide, make it this: talk to your utility or provincial agency before you miss payments, not after. In many cases, once you explain your income and show recent bills, there are more options available than most people realize – from rebates and on-bill credits to payment plans and deep efficiency upgrades.
FAQ – 2025 Winter Energy Relief Programs in Canada
1. Do all provinces offer a specific winter heating rebate like Nova Scotia?
No. Nova Scotia’s Heating Assistance Rebate Program is one of the clearest examples, but other provinces use different models. Some focus on monthly bill credits (like Ontario’s OESP), others on emergency funds via community agencies, and others lean more on long-term efficiency programs (like free heat pumps for certain oil-heated homes). Always check your province’s main government and utility websites for current offers.
2. Can I be disconnected from electricity or gas in winter if I can’t pay?
Disconnection rules are province-specific and can depend on the type of utility. Many provinces have some form of winter disconnection protection or require utilities to offer reasonable payment arrangements before cutting power, especially for vulnerable customers. However, protection is not automatic: you usually need to contact your utility, respond to notices and agree to a payment plan.
3. Do I have to pay tax on winter energy rebates or OHPA grants?
In general, most energy affordability rebates and grants (like winter heating rebates or OHPA heat pump grants) are not treated as taxable income for most households, but tax treatment can vary and may change. If you’re unsure, keep your program approval letter and discuss it with a tax professional or check the latest CRA guidance before filing your return.
Further Reading (Authoritative Sources)
Quick Summary
- Most winter 2025–26 heating assistance in Canada is delivered via provincial and utility programs, not direct federal rebates.
- Nova Scotia offers a $400 Heating Assistance Rebate for eligible low-income households for the 2025–26 season.
- Ontario continues to run OESP bill credits, an Energy Affordability Program, and winter disconnection protections for many residential customers.
- The federal Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) program can provide large grants to help low- and median-income households switch from oil to efficient heat pumps, cutting future bills.
- Check your province’s website, 211, and your local utility for updated eligibility rules, application windows and winter disconnection policies.
Tags: winter energy relief 2025, Canada heating assistance, provincial energy rebates, Ontario Electricity Support Program, Nova Scotia Heating Assistance Rebate, Oil to Heat Pump Affordability
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