Ontario government said hydro rates will be fixed at the off-peak rate and parents of high schoolers are eligible for a one-time payment as the province prepares to enter lockdown.

The Liberal government says it plans to avoid sharp increases during that time through initiatives including only securing new power when it's needed and allowing more people to produce their own green energy to power their homes.

Average customers using 750 kilowatt hours per month, will see bills of about $127.