‘A slap in the face’: River District strata angered by proposed energy price hikes

River District residents are voicing frustrations over a proposed energy hike, calling it unjustified.

Jason Leveille strategically chose to live in the River District.

“We wanted somewhere new, affordable, and to be able to stay in Vancouver,” he explained.

Leveille and his family settled on the Paradigm, developed by Wesgroup, where he now serves as the vice-president of the strata council.

In mid-September, the strata was notified that River District Energy (RDEL) had filed an application with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) seeking approval for a 10-per-cent increase in energy rates for 2026, 2027, and 2028.

“Why do they need to increase it 30 per cent over three years?” Leveille asked. “That doesn’t feel fair at all.”

In a statement, RDEL said: “The proposed change represents an estimated increase in annual energy costs of $91 in 2026 compared to 2025, for an 800-square-foot apartment.”

Leveille said residents have expressed frustration over the proposed hike, calling it “like a slap in the face.”

He also noted that RDEL is the strata’s only option for energy.

“We’re going to be stuck with this year-over-year increase,” he said.

CTV News reached out to the BCUC, which confirmed that RDEL is a “wholly owned subsidiary of Wesgroup Utilities Limited Partnership.”

When asked about its connection to Wesgroup, RDEL said: “While RDEL administers the system, the rate framework and cost recovery are determined through a transparent regulatory process, not by developer or utility owner discretion.”

The company further noted that the proposed adjustments “reflect the cost of operating, maintaining, and investing in the infrastructure needed to deliver reliable, low-carbon energy to the community.”

Leveille expressed skepticism about these claims.

“I don’t buy it,” he said. “It just seems too high.”

He reached out to the BCUC, but in an email, the commission informed the strata it would not meet outside of the formal regulatory process.

“We want to be involved in the decision,” Laveille said. “At the end of the day, we’re the ones paying the price. It’s not going to be them.”

Leveille said the strata plans to submit comments before the Nov. 3 deadline and has also reached out to Wesgroup seeking more transparency.

“We wanted to have a town hall sort of meeting to explain why the fee increase,” he explained.

However, he noted that Wesgroup is not available to meet until mid-November.

“I’m hoping for fairness in the rate increase and transparency,” Leveille said.

He added that if the rate increase is approved, the area may become less “attractive” for residents.