‘No Trespassing’ for door to door energy salespeople
By Kelly Anne Smith
Last summer, media reports said that Ontario was set to ban door-to-door energy contract salespeople. That hasn’t happened. What will happen is that the marketers can still try to sell you the idea of the contract at the doorstep, but you are not supposed to be pressured into signing it on your doorstep.
Recently a troop of energy marketers swooped Sheguiandah First Nation. It wasn’t long after that Chief Andrew Aguonie was getting complaints from community members about high energy bills.
Chief Andrew Aguonie then consulted with Barret Dokis, the Economic Development Coordinator of the Union of Ontario Indians. Dokis warns consumers to read those contracts. “Most of the time people do the research after they feel they have been burned by this. They can cancel in the 10-day cooling off period and then again, after they get their first bill, they can cancel before 30-days are up.”
The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) released a report on June 1, 2015 on the OEB’s effectiveness in protecting consumers. It found that about one-third of contract holders are unaware that they even have a contract. Those who entered into a contract did it to save money yet savings are highly unlikely. In the report, the OEB says residential consumers are paying more than consumers who bought energy from their utility.
Dokis took his concerns on the questionable business practices to the Union of Ontario Indian’s legal department. He was informed that all marketers must ask permission first from the Band Office to do business on First Nation land. “We are advising communities that these people should be asking permission. It could be deemed as trespassing if they never asked to go door to door. Common access does not necessarily apply in First Nation communities.”
Dokis is relaying Chief Aguonie’s concerns about people who are paying inflated rates. “Chief Aguone said a member contacted him after receiving a steep bill. The Chief made the comparison that it wasn’t fair that a family of four living in a two-bedroom apartment was paying more than a family living in a house. Normally the family could be paying $300 per month but after they signed the contract they had to pay $1000.”
Ontario’s new rules to the Strengthening Consumer Protection and Electricity System Oversight Act are not in effect yet. Although Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli says, it is now law receiving Royal Assent in December 2015. Fedeli states that the Bill makes it clear that this does not restrict marketing activities.
“At best it’s a half-measure towards solving this problem. It does not prevent the annoyance of suppliers coming door-to-door and they can still potentially prey on vulnerable consumers.”
The province says they are still developing the changes. Paul Crawford with the Ontario Energy Board says the provisions of the act relating to the retail energy markets have not yet been proclaimed into force and therefore are not yet in effect.
Here are links to inform as hydro prices are set to rise on May 1, adding about $3.13 a month to our electricity bills.
This site is Consumer Protection Ontario: https://www.ontario.ca/page/door-door-sales-and-home-service-contracts
Go to this website for rules on contracts such as the 10-day cooling period in which you can change your mind and cancel a contract. http://www.ontarioenergyboard.ca/OEB/Consumers/Energy+Contracts/After+Signing+an+Energy+Contract
Go here to apply for the Ontario Electricity Support Program which could credit some of your electrical bill: http://www.ontarioenergyboard.ca/oeb/Consumers/Consumer%20Protection/Help%20for%20Low-Income%20Energy%20Consumers/Ontario%20Electricity%20Support%20Program%20%28OESP%29
Find a phone number to a social service in your community to apply for emergency financial help for your electricity bill here: http://www.ontarioenergyboard.ca/oeb/Consumers/Consumer%20Protection/Help%20for%20Low-Income%20Energy%20Consumers/LEAP%20-%20Social%20Agency%20List