The cancellation of the Poolsaver program by Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives has left many pool builders and retailers seeing red.
Last week, Ontario’s Minister of Energy introduced the Fixing the Hydro Mess Act, 2019 and other regulatory initiatives to reduce costs and duplication of different electricity conservation programs in the province. Instead of delivering energy conservation initiatives such as the Poolsaver program through local utilities, the provincial government is centralizing the delivery of these programs to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).
In response to this decision, the Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada (PHTCC) released a statement saying it is shocked and disappointed to find out the Poolsaver program was cancelled without notice just as the pool season is about to begin.
“As soon as the Council heard about the Ontario government cancelling the program, we were all over it,” said the association’s treasurer, David Warren, who was also heavily involved in the program’s development. We are extremely disappointed in the Ontario government’s rash move to end the program (along with other electricity conservation initiatives) especially without any advanced notice. There was no wind down; just an immediate end.
“Many members have prepared appropriately for the upcoming season to participate in the Poolsaver program and offer these rebates to their customers. This includes investing in marketing, hiring additional staff, and ordering product inventory in preparation for the start of the pool season.”
Included in PHTCC’s statement are links to the provincial government’s directives, as well as to related news released by the ministry, and a form letter for members to use in their lobbying efforts. PHTCC is urging its Ontario members to contact their local members of provincial parliament (MPPs) in an effort to reverse the decision.
“We are not giving up easily,” Warren added. “The PHTCC and its members will be carefully considering all possible options in the near future. In the meantime, we encourage members to actively lobby their MPPs to reinstate or extend the Poolsaver program.”
Launched in 2017, PHTCC worked closely with local hydro distribution companies in developing, marketing, and administering the Poolsaver program. It was initially offered by Toronto, Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Halton Hills utilities, but quickly expanded to include Renfrew Hydro, Hydro Ottawa, Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro Inc., Energy+ Inc., and Waterloo North Hydro Inc. In fact, last June it was announced Hydro One Networks Inc., the third largest electric utility provider in Canada and the biggest in Ontario, was also onboard.
