Manitoba government questioned over push for rate freeze on electricity
Global News
In a year-end interview, Premier Wab Kinew said he believes the one-year rate freeze is the right way to go. The final decision will be made by the Public Utilities Board.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says a rate freeze on electricity in 2025 is achievable, despite another forecasted financial loss at Crown-owned Manitoba Hydro.
Kinew’s NDP government promised a one-year freeze in the last election campaign as a way to help people with the rising cost of living.
That has raised concerns with the Consumers Coalition, a group made up of three non-profits, including the Manitoba branch of the Consumers Association of Canada.
The group says a freeze now may lead to higher rate increases in future years.
Manitoba Hydro posted a net loss of $157 million in the last fiscal year and is set to end up in the red again after initially predicting a surplus this year.
In a year-end interview, Kinew said he believes the one-year rate freeze is the right way to go. The final decision will be made by the Public Utilities Board, the province’s energy regulator.
“Why we have Manitoba Hydro in our province, as a public utility in particular, is to have affordable rates,” Kinew said.
Hydro officials were the ones who came forward to the government with the proposed freeze, Kinew said.
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