‘I’m very concerned’: N.S. government to intervene in Halifax Water rate hike case
Opportunities and social development minister says he’ll consider new relief programs, if needed
The Nova Scotia government says it will wade into the regulatory review of Halifax Water’s proposed rate hikes with concerns about affordability.
Municipal Affairs Minister John Lohr said the province will intervene in the review that’s underway with the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board.
“We just think this is a time when affordability and cost, household costs are significant, and so we’ll be just bringing that message to the regulatory and appeals board,” Lohr told reporters Thursday in Halifax following a cabinet meeting.
Halifax Water applied to the board this month for two rate increases. The first would raise the average household water bill by 16.2 per cent this fiscal year and the second would raise the average household bill an additional 17.6 per cent next fiscal year.
Halifax Water has said the rate hikes are necessary in the face of a growing deficit and inflation. The utility has several large infrastructure projects in the works. …[Continue Reading]