Utility cut-off ban extension rejected by UCP despite high energy prices

An NDP proposal to extend a ban on utility cut-offs to Albertans was rejected by the UCP Wednesday, even as energy prices surged.

Utility companies cannot cut off services between Oct. 15 to Apr. 15, but the NDP proposal would have extended that cut-off ban for an additional year.

The motion was not granted unanimous consent, which is required for it to move forward in the legislature.

“It’s unfortunate that [it was not passed], while it doesn’t replace the needs for supports, at least it gives people assurance they have another year to catch up on their bills before the fridge gets turned off,” NDP Energy Critic Kathleen Ganley told CityNews.

“It’s disappointing to see the UCP wasn’t willing to take that step, because they have to be hearing from people — the same as we are — that they’re really, really struggling to catch up on these costs.”

Ganley believes once the cut-off ban is removed in a month, many people will lose utilities.

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“That’s a big concern because we’re hearing from people who are hundreds of dollars behind and they’re really struggling to pay these bills.”

She notes not only have electricity and natural gas costs gone up, but there’s also been an increase in income tax, car insurance, tuition, and student loan fees.

The UCP’s plan to deal with rising utility rates is to offer $150 in rebates. The money will be divided into three separate rebates of $50 each through the province’s various utility companies.

Households and small businesses which consumed less than 250MWh of electricity will be eligible for it.

Premier Jason Kenney has previously said it may take a while for the rebate to be issued as there are 45 energy providers they have to deal with.

Many Albertans have taken to social media to vent about sky-high utility prices.

Direct Energy
Electricity $450
Natural Gas $380
Enmax
Water and garbage $170

Total utilities: $900/mth

Crushing.

— Canoe Hat ???? (@Canoe_Hat) March 13, 2022

1800sqft bungalow, 2 furnaces, heated garage. My last Enmax Bill $560. The one before that was $699. There is only my 3year old and I living there

— Jackie Zelensky (@JackieZelensky) March 14, 2022

This is how much my utilities have increased over the last couple of years. Same house, less people. pic.twitter.com/OElFYzfTLj

— Alberta Teacher ????️‍???????????? (@AB_underhereye) March 14, 2022

When Alberta’s Energy Minister, Sonya Savage, was asked what else the province would be doing to keep utilities and fuel affordable, she said “a number of things” are being looked at, and then took aim at Ottawa.

“We continue to look at ways to make energy affordable for Albertans,” Savage said at a news conference last week. “We’ve done a number of things, including the removal of the gas tax. We’ll continue to look at things.”

When asked to elaborate on what can be looked at, she responded, “I think the first thing that can be done is to take a long hard look at the federal carbon tax.”

Calgary city council plans to question Enmax at a closed-door meeting Thursday about high utility costs and whether Enmax is paying enough dividends to the city.