NDP Says Another Electricity Increase Will Make Life More Unaffordable

NL NDP
Jun 18
2 min read

For Immediate Release

June 18, 2025

NL NDP Leader Jim Dinn (St. John’s Centre) is sounding the alarm over Newfoundland Power’s steep 7% rate increase, set to take effect on July 1st.

Dinn says this hike comes at a time when Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are already stretched to the breaking point by rising costs, and the recent increase to electricity that left residents frustrated this winter with the jump in price. He is calling on the provincial government to remove the HST on all forms of home heating.

“People can’t handle another increase in electricity, nor should they,” said Dinn. “This past winter, we saw the devastating impact of higher electricity costs. Families were pushed past their limits, unsure if they could afford to heat their homes the next month. Some even feared losing their homes altogether. And now, we’re facing yet another increase? It’s unacceptable.

“Saying that the average monthly power bill in St. John’s would still come in lower than comparable monthly bills in Nova Scotia and PEI is, quite literally, cold comfort. People here aren’t interested in comparisons, they’re trying to survive the winter,” said Dinn. “If government truly wants to help, they should listen to the NDP and remove the HST from all forms of home heating. People are trying to make up for the heat bills that they had this winter, another increase will only make the problem worse.”

Dinn questions how much shareholder profits come in to play with this new 7% increase, saying that if that is the reason, it is unacceptable to place that burden on residents. He also states that Muskrat Falls costs continue to hurt the people of this province.

“We can’t keep putting corporate profits on the backs of people who are just trying to stay warm,” said Dinn. “Neither Newfoundland Power’s profits nor the disastrous decisions around Muskrat Falls were made by the people of this province, yet it’s the people who are left to bear the cost, often at the expense of heating their homes.

He maintains that the system is failing people, and meaningful change is urgently needed. “Newfoundlanders and Labradorians should not have to choose between staying warm and making ends meet. That’s the bottom line.”

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For further information, contact Stephanie Curran, Media and Communications Officer, NDP Caucus at 330-0328 (o), or stephaniecurran@gov.nl.ca