Finance Minister Scott Fielding has announced the government will introduce legislation this fall that would set interim rates for Manitoba Hydro.  He says while Manitoba Hydro has requested a 3.5 percent increase this will limit annual rate increases to 2.5 percent for 2021,22 and 23 which is the lowest hydro rate increase in ten years.  He explains 2.5 percent will save ratepayers as well as businesses upwards to 10 million dollars in 2021, 28 million dollars in 2022-23 and upwards of 48 million dollars so his point is there are savings for ratepayers and they think it’s important to support individuals and businesses as we move out of the pandemic.  He adds that’s what they’ve tried to do as a government throughout this whole process and that’s what this announcement today does as well.

These limited rate increases will be introduced as amendments to bill 35 which is the public utilities ratepayer protection and regulatory reform act.