NS Power crew (Photo: NS Power on Twitter)
Nova Scotia Liberal leader Derek Mombourquette says the province must launch an independent review of Nova Scotia Power as more households report unexpectedly high bills following this year’s cyberattack.
Mombourquette and former premier Iain Rankin sent a letter to the Premier last week, urging the government to address what they say is a surge in estimated bills arriving in homes across the province.
The party says they have heard from “hundreds of Nova Scotians” who received invoices far higher than anything they normally pay.
In an interview, Mombourquette said the issue began after the cyberattack, but letters and concerns have ramped up in recent weeks. “We started hearing from Nova Scotians around the province about the fact that they were getting their power bills and they were much higher than they usually are,” he said. “Some of them—very drastic in some cases—hundreds and hundreds of dollars more.”
The Liberal caucus is calling for an independent review examining Nova Scotia Power’s billing practices, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and operations.
Their statement says the utility “must ensure accuracy, transparency and accountability at a time when families cannot afford surprises on essential bills.”
Mombourquette said Nova Scotians were already under financial pressure, and these estimates are adding to it. “People can’t afford to pay these bills. They shouldn’t be estimating the bills,” he said, adding that while the utility is seeking another rate increase, “people are still getting letters about the cyberattack, and now these estimated bills are through the roof.”
He also criticized the Premier—who serves as his own energy minister—for not responding. “We’ve heard nothing from the Premier,” he said. “He wanted to take the role, so we want him to do something. The energy minister should be front and centre advocating on behalf of Nova Scotians.”
Mombourquette said the Liberals will raise the issue during the upcoming Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board hearings. “There are tools the Premier can use,” he said, including legislative changes or directives to address billing transparency.
He encouraged anyone facing an unusually high estimate to contact their MLA and the Premier’s office.
Nova Scotia Power and the Premier’s Office could not be reached for comment.
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