Utility Payment Deferral Program Act Introduced by the Government of Alberta

On May 6, the Government House Leader, Minister Jason Nixon, introduced Bill 14 – the Utility Payment Deferral Program Act. The legislation would allow Albertans and businesses to defer electricity and natural gas payments until June 18, 2020. This also applies to all nonprofit organizations and registered charities.

Utility payments can be deferred for up to 90 days through June 18. The Government and the Alberta Utilities Commission will work with utility companies to develop approaches for repayments that will help consumers pay back their deferred utilities within a reasonable time period. No customers will be cut off from utility services for non-payment during this period.

Eligible customers are those who consume less than 250,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year, or less than 2,500 gigajoules of natural gas per year. Albertans in arrears or behind in payments before the deferral program launched on March 18 are also eligible for a deferral.

How to apply: To arrange for a deferral and repayment plan, contact your natural gas or electricity provider directly.

• You can sign up for the deferral at any time, however, the deferral ends on June 18, 2020. Starting on June 19, the agreed upon repayment plan will be implemented.

• In situations where rent and utilities are combined, contact your landlord directly to discuss the circumstances.

Repayment: Payments will be required at the end of the deferral period, but you will not be required to pay for the entirety of the deferral on June 18. Contact your utility provider to discuss repayment plan options. In addition to the agreed repayment plan, your organization may:

• put down additional payments towards its balance;

• pay one month and defer the next during the period between March 18 – June 18; and

• make changes or amendments to a payment schedule – including automatic payments.

For support in negotiating a repayment plan that fits your budget or help with resolving any service or billing issue, contact the Utilities Consumer Advocate.         

Click here for the news release and here for more information.