Note: This post was updated on February 26, 2018.
Winter disconnection ban
Disconnections during winter have been banned in Quebec for a long time while Ontario has adopted such a policy just in time for the 2017-18 winter. Electricity is therefore considered an essential service during the winter period:
- In Quebec, from December 1st to March 31st
- In Ontario, from November 15 to April 30
During this period, Hydro-Québec, Hydro One and other hydro suppliers are required to maintain or restore service in all main residences. But as the disconnection ban period draws to a close, service interruptions may again be applied soon.
Roughly 50,000 homes experience an interruption of services each year in Quebec. In Ontario, statistics reveal that there are nearly 60,000 disconnections annually.
How to avoid having your hydro disconnected
If you are falling behind on your Hydro bills, the worst thing to do is to ignore the problem. Solutions exists that you could make use of to buy yourself some time or to pay back your debt. In any case, it is always better to act before being disconnected. Your options include:
1- Reimburse 100Â % of the accrued arrears
This is obviously easier said than done but if you can pull it off, you will avoid being cut off. However, if you have been disconnected previously by Hydro-Québec, they may require a deposit covering to the cost of two months of electricity consumption as security before restoring power.
2- Make a payment arrangement
Try to make a payment arrangement with your utility company in order to reimburse your arrears. Should you succeed, make sure to respect the terms agreed upon. If you do not abide by such an agreement, recovery measures against you could ensue and your hydro could get disconnected.
3- Consumer proposal
If your utility company refuses to make a payment arrangement with you, consider filing a consumer proposal. Should it be accepted, the consumer proposal will protect you against service interruptions. It will furthermore considerably reduce your debt towards the utility. By the same token, you will be able to consolidate the majority of the other debts you may have incurred, not to mention that you will only have to repay a fraction of the amount of these debts.
4- Bankruptcy
As a last recourse, you could file for bankruptcy, and therefore avoid having power cut off. Such a choice is also the only one that guarantees a reconnection, if a service interruption has occurred.
If you have been late in paying your bills to Hydro-Québec, Hydro One or another utility company, do not despair. The Licensed Insolvency Trustees at Ginsberg Gingras will be able to find a solution and eliminate the threat of a disconnection. Call us. The first consultation is free and discretion is assured.