Northerners unhappy with Enbridge rate hike on Oct. 1
Enbridge gas tells CTV News that its five per cent rate hike on Oct. 1 will cost its customers in northeastern Ontario an extra $160 a year, on average. And people in Timmins are unhappy.
Rates in this region will have jumped up more than 150 per cent over last year, from about 15 cents per cubic metre of natural gas to about 38 cents, once the new hike takes effect.
When added to the other increases since Oct. 1, 2021, this latest bump makes the annual cost of heating around $500 more expensive than last year, according to Enbridge.
"It's a bit upsetting," said Leona Brazeau, a senior in Timmins.
"I've already had my October bill and it went up $100 already."
A local homeowner and landlord said the rate increase will affect her twofold.
Sylvie Laporte said she will have to find other ways to heat her home and some of her tenants have already been reaching out with financial concerns over the regular increases this past year.
"I'm lucky I have a wood stove, so I will be probably reigniting my wood stove this winter," Laporte said, adding that some of her tenants are on pension and disability support.
"We're trying to be fair landlords and keep it reasonable for tenants ... (but) everything else going up. The mortgage rates at the bank going up. It's affecting everyone's bottom dollar."
Enbridge's media relations manager, Andrea Stass, said this is all because of added market pressure caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and higher global demand for North American natural gas.
Stass said Enbridge is paying more for natural gas and that it passes down those extra costs to customers as part of its regular rate changes every four months.
"We understand that that's difficult for customers, particularly when we're facing rising prices for just about everything, related to inflation," she said.
"We do offer programs for low-income customers that may be facing some challenges."
Stass said Enbridge offers grants and payment plans for people having trouble paying their bills.
The company also offers a rebate of up to $5,000 for home renovations that can help reduce energy use and, therefore, people's bills.
Pricing tends to be more expensive in the winter due to higher demand, Stass said, and the hope is that these hikes won't continue into the new year.
Enbridge is the largest provider of natural gas to homes in Ontario and the company suggests people with financial concerns contact its representatives to go over options.
Local customers told CTV News they just hope relief comes soon, either in the global market, government action or Enbridge deciding to compromise on its profits.
"We just hope that something will come out of this and Enbridge can stop, probably, being not as greedy," said Laporte.
"We hope the government can step on and help northerners with all of this. They're hitting the little people's bottom dollar."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Houston braces for flooding to worsen in wake of storms
High waters flooded neighborhoods around Houston on Saturday following heavy rains that have already resulted in crews rescuing hundreds of people from homes, rooftops and roads engulfed in murky water.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.