Ontario’s small business community is facing a myriad of cost pressures, to a significant degree from industry consolidation, but largely from government measures stemming from Bill 148. Adding to these pressures is the high cost of energy, which independent retail grocers are simply finding unsustainable in the long term.
CFIG has been pointing out to the Ontario government the challenges for retail grocers who, notwithstanding investments in upgrades and retrofits, still see high energy costs due to the nature of their business. As CFIG said to Ontario’s Energy Minister in a meeting in December, falling within the Class B Customer category of users means that grocers who meet the provincial definition of small business may NOT qualify for the small business energy relief provided by the province (the Fair Hydro Plan).
We need to find a solution, not just for today’s grocers but to ensure we have independent grocers tomorrow. To that end, CFIG will be working with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), the agency responsible for the Save on Energy programs, and their service provider the Canadian Institute for Energy Training (CIET), on a project to do just that. We appreciate the support of Ontario’s Energy Minister in helping facilitate the launch of this initiative.
The aim of the project is to engage independent retail grocers and review their daily operational realities and challenges with respect to energy. The objectives will be three-fold:
1.Assess energy use and the awareness and understanding of energy management options and existing energy conservation incentive programs
2.Deliver highly relevant information sessions and tailored support to independent grocers that is accessible and cost effective
3.Better identify for grocers how to take advantage of existing energy conservation programs that are available to the sector by your local hydro and gas utility and other provincial entities
Please note that the findings and outcomes of the project may be shared with utilities and other agencies responsible for delivering incentive programs in Ontario with the objective of providing the best possible support for the independent retail grocery sector.
Information gathering will be via survey.
There are TWO ways to participate in Survey:
Gathering energy use data is critical in realizing the objectives of this project. WITHOUT YOUR PARTICIPATION AND COMPLETION OF THESE SURVEYS, THIS PROJECT CANNOT SUCCEED. If we do not generate a sufficient number of responses and provide credible data, then we have lost an opportunity to make changes that could benefit you and our sector as a whole.
Due to the extreme importance of assembling data for the IESO, this survey is being sent to all independent grocers, members and non-members. The time you take to complete the survey is an investment. QUESTIONS? Contact: info@cfig.ca
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