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Edmonton electricity most
expensive in Canada EDMONTON – The cost of power in Alberta’s capital city is now the highest in Canada – and the Klein government’s ill-considered decision to deregulate electricity prices is to blame. That was the message from New Democrat MLA Brian Mason after Hydro Quebec released a study last month comparing power prices in major Canadian cities. The study clearly shows Edmonton with higher electricity prices than every other major city in Canada. Three years ago, before the Alberta Tories deregulated electricity prices, Edmonton had among the lowest prices in Canada. "In 2000, Edmonton had lower rates than all but four cities surveyed by Hydro Quebec," said Mason. "Now that the Tories have bungled our electricity system, Edmonton ranks last out of 11 major cities in all ten provinces that were surveyed." Hydro Quebec’s figures show that in May 2000, Edmontonians paid 25 percent more for power than Montreal residents. Two years later, that differential rose to 85 percent. During that time, power prices in Edmonton have surpassed Regina, Toronto, Moncton, Halifax, St John’s, and Charlottetown. Edmonton previously had lower prices than all those cities. "Every Albertan is paying more because of deregulation," said Mason. "The Klein government can spin this all they like, but Albertans know their bills have gone way up. We now have the dubious distinction of paying the highest power prices in the country." Calgary was not included in the Hyrdo Quebec study. But experts say power prices have spiked throughout the province since deregulation. |