Islanders Paying More for Power as Rebate Ends and Rates Rise

Islanders are paying more for electricity following the elimination of the provincial energy rebate and a new Maritime Electric rate increase, and the Official Opposition says government needs to answer for making power more expensive when Islanders are already paying more for groceries, fuel and just about everything else.

“Electricity isn’t something people can choose to go without,” Official Opposition Leader Hal Perry said. “Islanders need some breathing room in their household budgets. Taking away a rebate that was lowering their power bills only makes things harder.”

The Conservative government ended the PEI Government Energy Rebate on June 30. Introduced by the former Liberal government in 2018, the rebate automatically reduced eligible residential electricity bills by 10% on the first 2,000 kWh used each month.

Maritime Electric customers are also facing a 3.1% rate increase following IRAC’s approval of costs associated with Hurricane Fiona.

Government has introduced the income-tested Island Essentials Benefit, but that doesn’t change the fact that the automatic electricity rebate is gone. Perry said government needs to show Islanders how this new approach leaves them better off when their power bills are going up. 

“The bottom line is whether Islanders are better off or worse off,” Perry said. “What matters is what’s left in their bank account at the end of the month. If people are paying more to keep the lights on, government needs to answer for that.”