Hydro-Qubec rates going up again

Quebec's energy board has approved an increase of 0.7 per centforHydro-Qubec's residential customers and most of its business customers.

The increase will go into effect April 1.

According to Hydro-Qubec, the increase means customers will payabout 88 cents moreper month for a small home and$1.75 per month month for a medium-sized home.

The public utility had requested a 1.6 per cent increase, citing higher costs of power purchases and lower-than-anticipated demand.

Even with theincrease, Hydro-Qubec says its rates will remain the lowest in North America less than half of what people pay in Toronto and a quarter of what they pay in New York.

In 2016, Hydro-Qubec's rates alsowent up by0.7 per cent after its request for a 1.7 per cent increase was rejected.