Hydro bills are going up on Nov. 1 but Ontarians are also getting a new choice on how they are billed that could create some savings.

Premier Doug Ford's office said Saturday that hydro rates will now be a flat 12.8 cents per kilowatt hour, regardless of the time of day.

The association representing Ontario's energy producers and distributors says the province should stop subsidizing the price of hydro and instead offer targeted help to customers who need it most.

Ford says an expert group is currently working on solutions to bring down hydro rates, a key promise he made during the 2018 election.

Finance Minister Rod Phillips says the government will exceed the $4 billion it has previously budgeted to keep prices stable bringing the total spend to $5.6 billion.

Residents are outraged after learning they were charged for gas and electricity by a company that did not install gas and electricity meters.

A group of Brock University students say their utility company and property manager are “taking advantage” of a taxpayer-funded program meant to help low-income households in Ontario cope with high hydro bills.

Students say Ontario utility company Wyse Meter Solutions sent them identical bills with what appear to be duplicate fees for water and electricity.

Hydro companies in Ontario with roughly 240,000 customers announced Tuesday they will voluntarily stop disconnecting customers for non-payment after questions from Global News.

High hydro and unemployment rates have been identified as major issues for voters in the Barrie area.