New Maryland resident Tina Brasseur voted for Premier Susan Holt in New Brunswick’s last provincial election, but after NB Power announcedplans to raise power rates by 17.4 per cent over three years, Brasseur is reconsidering that support. “I did vote for the Liberals, and I did so because I wanted a government that would absolutely represent the people. But it doesn’t necessarily feel like we’re being listened to at this point,” she said. Last week, NB Power filed its application with the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) to increase rates by 5.5 per cent per year for three years. The corporation’s president and CEO said the increases were necessary to pay for aging infrastructure and rising energy costs. But Brasseur wants the provincial government and NB Power to find an alternative to larger power bills. “At some point there has to be another solution than just rate increases,” she said. She’s not the only one feeling the pinch. Fredericton food bank Greener Village’s CEO said August saw a record number of 2,400 residents seeking its services. He said rising power bills will only add to the strain. “I think people are generally challenged by the cost of everything right now. And when it keeps creeping up and creeping up and creeping up and the salary increases aren’t necessarily as high as the cost increases... it’s getting pinched harder and harder for people all the time,” Alex Boyd said. Last year, NB Power instituted exemptions to winter cutoffs for vulnerable populations, but last week Clark said the leadership is still considering whether to apply it again this year. “There are some learnings from that period and we’re just evaluating those now, and there are pros and cons, obviously. There are some very good things that happened and there’s some things, some unintended consequences I would say,” she said at the time. “I would like to see something in place for customers that are struggling to pay their bills.” In March three authors of an independent reviewof NB Power, launched by the province, recommended the corporation focus on low-cost, sustainable, reliable and security electricity. It directed the province, when it’s not fiscally sustainable for NB Power, step in to provide financial support to residents struggling with rising power rates. If the EUB approves the rate increase, it will take effect on April 1, 2027. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
