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
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.