‘Low-Income Tenants Can't Keep Their Lights On,’ Activists Tell NB Power

NB ACORN Launches “Affordable Energy Platform” Amid Soaring Power Rates
By David Gordon Koch, NB Media Co-op

NB ACORN anti-poverty advocates are calling for a moratorium on NB Power rate hikes and a ban on winter disconnections for residential customers. The group launched its “affordable energy platform” on Tuesday with rallies in both Moncton and Fredericton.

The protests coincided with a 9.7% hike in residential electricity rates across New Brunswick—part of a broader trend that has seen household energy costs climb by roughly 30% over the past three years.

Despite the rainy weather in downtown Moncton, local residents rallied to share how the increases are affecting their lives.

“It’s hard even for two people, like my wife and I,” said Doug Forbes, explaining that because his wife is on disability, his income is limited under New Brunswick’s household income policy.
“Even after that, our rent is like $1,200, and you pay power and food—we’re left with maybe $60 or $70 a month.”

In a recent email to customers, NB Power said that for “an urban home using an average of 1,700 kWh of electricity per month, the April 1 rate change will mean an increase of approximately $25.21/month.” That works out to around $300 annually, not including a $2.60 hike to the monthly service charge, which now sits at $29.55. The increase was approved by the Energy and Utilities Board in November 2024.

At the Moncton rally, Talen Ripko waved a red NB ACORN flag and voiced frustration that the cost of living is rising faster than his wages. He credited ACORN with pressuring the government to implement a rent cap, which helped limit his rent increase to $30 this year—compared to $100 last year.

“A 10% increase on rent or utilities doesn't sound like a lot until you realize you’re paying a hundred more dollars,” he said. “That’s a whole grocery cart of food for at least a month for a single person.”

While NB Power has pointed to payment plans and assistance programs, critics say that’s not enough.

“People are going, ‘What is gonna happen if I can’t pay my bill?’” said Peter Jongeneelen, co-chair of NB ACORN. “Payment plans won’t do it.” He urged the government of Premier Susan Holt to look to Ontario’s emergency winter hydro policies, which protect customers from disconnections during the coldest months.

Research from the Saint John-based Human Development Council shows New Brunswick has one of the highest rates of energy poverty in Canada. By March 2023, more than 40,000 residential accounts were in arrears—13% of all NB Power residential accounts—with an average outstanding balance of over $250.

In 2022–23, arrears led to disconnections for 3,580 households, with average debts of $1,174 per account.

“Low-income tenants can’t keep their lights on—and some are literally being left in the cold,” said Moncton resident Ronald Pitre at the protest.

Sylvain Comeau, from the group Maritimes Against Climate Change, added: “We’re between jobs and on EI. We need to pay rent and everything else on top of this hike. It’s really going to strain us.”

Others present at the Moncton demonstration included Serge Landry, federal NDP candidate for Moncton–Dieppe.