NDP: Ford can’t let Enbridge gouge Ontarians again

QUEEN’S PARK — Enbridge Gas Inc. is again appealing to the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) for rate increases, continuing their pattern of increasing its payout to investors at the expense of Ontarians.

Ontario NDP Shadow Minister for Public and Business Service Delivery Tom Rakocevic (Humber River—Black Creek), and Shadow Minister for Energy Jamie West (Sudbury), are calling on Doug Ford to say no to yet another rate increase.

“Enbridge has spent 30 straight years hiking rates and handing out handsome profits to their shareholders, with reported profits of over $5 billion last year alone,” said Rakocevic. “Meanwhile, Ontarians are draining their savings and walking around their homes in winter jackets, desperate to save money on their heating bills.

“The Ford Government always comes to the rescue of billionaires and wealthy corporations like Enbridge, but never for the people. In 2024, they changed the law to allow Enbridge to raise the rates against the will of the Ontario Energy Board. Will they act now, and tell Enbridge that enough is enough?”

In 2024, when the Ford government passed legislation enabling it to override OEB decisions around system expansion, it gave the Premier and the Minister of Energy the power to set the rules for approving or denying rate increases.

“These price hikes come at a time when families are already struggling to make ends meet, thanks to Doug Ford’s jobs disaster,” said West. “This increase to essential home heating costs, heading into the coldest months of the year, will push many over the edge.

“With hundreds of thousands of Ontarians out of work, they can’t afford this rate increase. The Premier must take action, and finally side with the working people of our province instead of wealthy corporations.”

Rakocevic, West, and MPP Peter Tabuns recently penned a letter to Energy Minister Stephen Lecce, asking him — along with the OEB — to reject Enbridge’s request.