I hear story after story of how people are having to make a choice on whether they will eat or pay their hydro bill. The cost of hydro has become outrageous since the so called "Smart Meters" were shoved down everyone's throat. We shouldn't be forced to make a choice on whether we get to eat or stay warm. I was talking to a young couple with children who received a bill of over $700. for two months hydro. They have wood heat and have not changed anything since the summer billing. Their bill more than doubled. When the y enquired about this, they were told it was because they had base board heaters. Indeed they do, but the breaker was off to them and they have a huge wood stove in place and running. The BC Hydro receptionist kept insisting that electric heat was the reason. The very next day I was picking up my granddaughter from her friends tiny apartment. The friends mother, who is a disabled single mom came out and asked me about my hydro bill. She explained that she had just received her bill and not being behind, it was $800. She had no one to turn to for help and BC Hydro doesn't care about anyones situation. They will give you a disconnection notice for if you are late $5. According to a piece written in The Vancouver Sun in 2016, BC Hydro had a net income of $655 million as of March 2016 – a $74 million increase over fiscal 2015. That increase in revenue largely comes from last year's 6% rate hike. Has the government got a gun to BC Hydro's head to fulfill a financial agreement?
The government needs to make the dream of solar powered homes an affordable reality. Stop making these things too far out of reach.
It's time we all get together and put some pressure on our leaders. It's going to take all of us. Tell us your BC Hydro story and please sign this petition.
