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
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.