Enbridge customers in Ottawa and eastern Ontario face natural gas price hike on July 1
At a time when natural gas bills would typically be cooling down in the summer, Enbridge Gas customers are set to see their bills get jacked up.
The Ontario Energy Board has approved Enbridge for a rate increase of 18.5 per cent to 23.2 per cent beginning July 1. For an average bill of $110, that could result in as much as $300 extra per year.
A statement from Enbridge Gas communications advisor Krista Luxton says, "The war in Ukraine paired with strong domestic demand and increased global demand for U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports has resulted in historically high natural gas market prices, which are anticipated to continue for some time."
"When you start blocking pipelines, natural gas and oil, in a country like Canada with some of the largest provable reserves in the world, you can expect these prices to go through the roof and that's exactly what's happened," says Dan McTeague, president of Canadians for Affordable Energy.
Natural gas prices are updated quarterly, and McTeague says they have been on the rise since last year.
"This time last year if you were paying $900, look to pay about $1,400."
Renfrew resident David Ainsworth has noticed an increase already on his bill.
"In the last few months the price of gas has gone up by at least 50 per cent in the last several months," Ainsworth says to CTV News Ottawa. "And you add on other costs such as the carbon tax which is another influencing factor. Yeah, yeah it's gone up for sure."
Between skyhigh gasoline prices and now rising natural gas prices, Ainsworth says there's no escaping inflation whether you're on the road or staying home.
"This is a serious issue for anybody who's having to get around and heat their homes, which means all of us."
Some Enbridge customers may have already noticed a sharp increase to their bills, with gas meter checks not taking place as scheduled.
The gas company says they aim to check metres once a month but have been unable to do so due to the pandemic, which has resulted in usage estimates being higher than normal.
Enbridge says overages can be corrected once the metre has been read. Alternatively customers can report their metre readings to Enbridge themselves.
The Ontario Energy Board says the International Energy Agency warns of continued pressure rising prices beyond this quarter.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.