Ontario's Fair Hydro Plan: How Will It Impact Canada's First Nations Communities?

Since 2006, the price of off-peak electricity in the Canadian province of Ontario has increased from 3.5 to 8.7 cents per kWh - nearly 150%. Electricity delivery charges, which are separated on Ontario energy bills and vary across the province, have also risen substantially. Low-density population areas and First Nations Reserve communities have seen the most significant surges in pricing and, not surprisingly, non-payment rates in these communities has been on the rise. As a result, there is a growing interest among Ontario's many First Nations communities to find locally-owned, locally-operated energy solutions to protect against rising rates and afford some degree of energy independence.