Calgary utility companies ending grace period for power cutoff

A grace period from Alberta energy companies for people who are struggling to pay their utility bills has come to an end.

The winter moratorium that prevents energy providers from shutting off power to a customer who is behind on their payments lifts as of April 15.

Related Article: Thousands of Alberta families’ utilities could be cut off: advocates

Salwa Elmaghwry with the Rise Calgary Community Resource Centre is urging anyone behind to reach out to the energy companies and see if there is something they can work out.

“Do not ignore the statement, do not ignore the letters otherwise they will just put it through. We really try to contact them and work out a payment plan within their current means and current finances,” said Elmaghwry.

If that doesn’t work she says there are other supports.

“If they’re unsuccessful with that [they are] to contact agencies like 211 or reach out to their local community resource centre that may have some access, or even supports that they can put in place that they can use to offset their expenses for the month,” said Elmaghwry.

Related Article: Alberta increasing utility bill prices challenged by NDP member

CityNews reached out to Enmax Energy, which is urging people to reach out to their customer service department so they can help find a manageable payment solution.

In March, a proposal by the Alberta NDP to extend the ban was rejected by the UCP. The proposal was to extend that cut-off ban for an additional year.

In an effort to help Albertans deal with rapidly rising fuel and energy costs, the UCP previously announced plans to deal with rising utility rates, announcing a $150 rebate for customers. The province said the money would be divided into three separate rebates of $50 each, to be distributed by the various utility companies.

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

-With files from Saif Kaisar