Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says a rate freeze on electricity in 2025 is achievable, despite another forecasted financial loss at Crown-owned Manitoba Hydro.
Kinew’s NDP government promised a one-year freeze in the last election campaign as a way to help people with the rising cost of living.
That has raised concerns with the Consumers Coalition, a group made up of three non-profits, including the Manitoba branch of the Consumers Association of Canada.
The group says a freeze now may lead to higher rate increases in future years.
Manitoba Hydro posted a net loss of $157 million in the last fiscal year and is set to end up in the red again after initially predicting a surplus this year.
In a year-end interview, Kinew said he believes the one-year rate freeze is the right way to go. The final decision will be made by the Public Utilities Board, the province’s energy regulator.
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