Pressure is mounting on the Caquist government to fully repay overpayments to Hydro-Quebec’s customers at a time when inflation is plaguing many Quebec households.
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A motion to this effect has been tabled by the Parti Québécois so that “the National Assembly will demand that the government honor its electoral commitment and fully reimburse the $1.5 billion overbilled to Hydro-Québec subscribers between 2005 and 2017 “. The application was eventually rejected.
“People are suffering now. You will not hold your breath until the election. The government has an obligation to do it, it has to honor its obligation,” PQ MP for Matane Pascal Bérubé said during an interview with Le Journal.
record profits
According to the Parti Québécois, Hydro-Québec has a free hand to compensate Quebec households while the state-owned company posted record first-quarter profits of more than $2 billion.
“Hydro-Québec is breaking records, they have the means. […] I call on the government to take action today for electricity consumers who are not dependent on their choice,” said Mr. Bérubé.
2020 far too little
To compensate Hydro-Quebec’s customers, the CAQ government decided to pay subscribers $500 million in 2020. The average refund was $60 per customer.
“It’s not enough, everything must be returned to Quebecers,” argues Mr. Bérubé.
Hydro denies an overload
Hydro-Québec, reached by Le Journal, confirms that it has never overcharged its customers.
“What we have always said, there were no overpayments, the customers always paid the rate approved by the Régie,” says spokeswoman Cendrix Bouchard.
However, prior to the passage of Bill 34, which adjusts tariffs for inflation, Hydro explains that there were yield discrepancies with its forecasts that allowed electricity tariffs to be set.
The CAQ government also introduced an interest rate freeze for 2020 that will ensure “customers save the equivalent of about $1 billion through 2027,” Mr Bouchard said.
But according to Jean-Pierre Finet of the grouping of environmental organizations in the energy sector, customers should now be compensated.
“Customers should get what is due to them, with interest. Proving the $1 billion in savings is up to Hydro to provide and remains speculation at this time,” he said.
When the CAQ was in opposition, Chairman François Legault called Hydro-Québec’s overpayments a disguised and underhanded tax.
His then-energy spokeswoman, Chantal Soucy, even filed a 50,000-name petition demanding a refund.
Energy Secretary Jonatan Julien’s office did not respond to questions from the protocolyesterday.