Quebec City, October 3, 2019 - In an unprecedented move, Option consommateurs, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), the Association québécoise des consommateurs industriels d'électricité (AQCIE) and the Coalition des associations de consommateurs du Québec (CACQ) have joined forces with the three opposition parties in the National Assembly, the Parti libéral du Québec (PLQ), Québec solidaire (QS) and the Parti québécois (PQ) to call on the Quebec government to withdraw Bill 34, with the overriding aim of protecting the independence of the Régie de l'énergie and oversight of the Hydro-Québec monopoly.
In a new poll conducted by Angus Reid on behalf of CFIB and AQCIE from October 1 to 2, Quebecers expressed strong support (84%) for the Régie de l'énergie's annual review of Hydro-Québec's electricity rates. A strong majority (80%) also believed that the government should give the Régie de l'énergie greater supervisory powers over Hydro-Québec. Then, as an indication of their attachment to the Régie's role, nearly three out of five Quebecers even say they'd be willing to pay $1 more per bill to finance better oversight of the Hydro-Québec monopoly.
This data echoes a recent CFIB survey of its members, which revealed that 83% of small business owners also want greater oversight of Hydro-Québec by the Régie de l'énergie.
The common front was made necessary by the stubbornness of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Jonatan Julien, in this matter. A number of steps have been taken since last June to demonstrate that Bill 34 does not hold water, is bad news and will have a negative impact on all classes of consumers. In spite of this, the Minister's response has been dismissive.
There is no justification for the government to act so quickly and so abruptly on an issue as important as the pricing of an essential public service: electricity distribution. It's time for the government to listen to those who elected it and withdraw its bill. Consultations have already been announced by the Commission de l'agriculture, des pêcheries, de l'énergie et des ressources naturelles on the "orientations, activities and management of the Régie de l'énergie". The government should seize this opportunity for broader consultation.
"This bill has obviously been improvised. In our view, it runs counter to the thinking that needs to take place if Quebec is to make a success of its energy transition. If the Minister wishes to reassess the role of the Régie de l'énergie, we invite him instead to hold broad consultations, for the benefit of all Hydro-Québec customers."
Christian Corbeil, General Manager ofOption consommateurs
"The consensus against Bill 34 has taken a giant step forward. We already knew that small business leaders wanted greater oversight of Hydro-Québec. Now we know that this sentiment is widespread among the population: 80% of Quebecers are calling for the same thing. It's time for the Minister to withdraw his bill and review it from A to Z."
Gopinath Jeyabalaratnam, Economic and Government Affairs Advisor, CFIB
"This poll clearly shows that the vast majority of Quebecers share the industry's concern that Hydro-Québec be better monitored and that electricity rates be set transparently on an annual basis. Why persist with a bill that only serves Hydro-Québec's monopoly?"
Jocelyn B. Allard, President of AQCIE
"The bill guarantees us an unjustified rate increase that is unfair to electricity consumers and will impoverish vulnerable households."
Rébecca Bleau, General Manager, CACQ
About OCOption consommateurs
OC (Option consommateurs) was founded in 1983. It is a cooperative association that defends and promotes consumer rights on a national scale. OC takes an active interest in issues related to the energy bills of residential consumers, who are subject to the Distributor's Rate D.
About CFIB
CFIB (Canadian Federation of Independent Business) is the country's largest SME association, with 110,000 members in all sectors and regions. It aims to increase the chances of success for SMEs by defending their interests with governments, providing personalized resources and offering exclusive savings. Visit fcei.ca to find out more. SMEs represented by CFIB are, for the most part, subject to the Distributor's G and M rates.
About AQCIE
AQCIE (Association québécoise des consommateurs industriels d'électricité), founded in 1981, is an association representing the interests of Quebec's largest industrial electricity consumers. These industries, well established in the regions of Quebec, consume more than a third of the electricity sold by Hydro-Québec Distribution, corresponding to a value of over three billion dollars a year.
About the CACQ
The CACQ aims to promote and defend the interests of consumers through the full recognition and application of human rights. This includes the promotion of rights to be recognized, as well as actions that foster the full exercise of existing rights.
Survey methodology
Angus Reid survey: conducted from October 1 to 2, 2019, among a representative sample of 1,000 Quebec residents who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted online, in English and French. The accuracy of online surveys conducted by the Angus Reid Forum is measured using a "credibility interval". In a sample of this size, results are accurate within a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1% (19 times out of 20). All surveys are subject to other potential sources of error, including coverage error and measurement error.
CFIB survey: conducted from September 12 to 17, 2019, with a sample of 976 SME owners in Quebec. By way of comparison, for a probability sample with an equal number of respondents, the margin of error would be plus or minus 3.1%, 19 times out of 20.
Information
Dominique Des Rosiers, CFIB Press Attaché and Public Affairs Advisor
Tel.: 514 861-3234, ext. 1808 Cell. : 514 817-0228
[email protected]
Jocelyn B. Allard, AQCIE President Tel: 514 350-5496
Cell. : 514 910-8027
[email protected]
Option consommateurs
Tel.: 514-777-6133
