Mike Rencheck, President and CEO of Bruce Power.

Bruce Power President and CEO Mike Rencheck released a statement March 24 regarding the company’s latest efforts to support local communities and their programs against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“During these uncertain times it is important that Ontarians can continue to count on Bruce Power to provide the electricity this province needs to power its hospitals, health-care facilities, clinics, and communities across Ontario. It is also important that our communities in Bruce, Grey and Huron counties can continue to count on us to support the many programs that help our fellow residents.

“So, we are immediately giving $300,000 to food banks across our three local counties, moving up our annual donation that’s traditionally been made during the holiday season. We are redirecting funds targeted for Bruce Power events and programs that have been cancelled to those food banks, effectively quintupling the size of the company’s annual donations. We are extremely grateful to the organizers and volunteers of our area’s food banks who work tirelessly to make sure families have food on their tables every day.

“We are receiving many requests for medical supplies, and we have been able to help a number of hospitals to date. We will support these requests for as long as we have inventory. Please email info@brucepower.com with all requests for equipment, supplies or other in kind.

“We have earmarked more than $2 million in donations to organizations across the three counties in 2020. We are giving these organizations the flexibility to redirect those funds into areas that they’re designating as a high priority to fight COVID-19.

“Finally, we’re living in a world right now where new information about this pandemic becomes available at lightning speed. The Government of Ontario has the latest developments on how we can protect ourselves on www.ontario.ca/coronavirus. The Virtual Town Hall we hosted last week provided more than 75,000 residents in our community with the opportunity to hear from Grey Bruce public health officials and doctors about what’s being done here at home to keep people safe and healthy."

See: Virtual Town Hall addresses COVID-19 pandemic

“Times like this bring out the best in people, and we are seeing that every day at Bruce Power and in our communities. We will get through this pandemic by working together and supporting each other.”

Rencheck also addressed the Government of Ontario's announcement on electricity rates March 24.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Energy Minister Greg Rickford and Associate Energy Minister Bill Walker announced that the province will lower electricity rates for at least 45 days to offset higher consumption as more people work from home or remain in self-isolation.

The Ontario Energy Board is also extending the current ban on electricity disconnection for households and small business that are unable to pay their utility bills to July 31.

“As a company based in rural Ontario, we applaud today’s announcement by Premier Ford, Minister Rickford and Associate Minister Walker, and appreciate how much this will mean for residents, farmers and owners of small businesses in our communities,” said Rencheck. “At this time it is crucial for all of us to do what we can to ease the burden felt by Ontarians in these trying times. We are a proud partner of business and the government and will continue to do all that we can to continue to power more for less.”