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Former Judge Recommends Hydro-Québec Waive Unpaid Bills in Indigenous Communities
The report says nearly half of customers in 15 communities owe balances, and it also suggests a single bill option and stronger energy-efficiency measures.
- A report commissioned by Hydro-Québec and prepared by former Quebec Superior Court justice François Rolland recommended forgiving more than $250 million in unpaid electricity bills owed by members of 15 First Nations and Inuit communities.
- The recommendation follows a 2024 Radio-Canada investigation revealing average unpaid balances in Matimekush-Lac John reached about $65,000, while Chisasibi and Nutashkuan averaged about $39,000 and $35,000, respectively.
- Rolland proposed transferring debt collection responsibility to communities and implementing single billing to support "economic reconciliation" by building relationships based on trust and respect.
- Irene Neeposh, outgoing chief of Waswanipi, opposes transferring collection duties to communities, warning the burden would further marginalize Indigenous residents.
- Hydro-Québec is assessing feasibility and fairness implications, while the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador intends to study the recommendations before commenting publicly.
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13 Articles
13 Articles
TVA NouvellesReposted by 
Le Journal de Montreal
Le Journal de MontrealHydro-Québec is considering transferring the management of unpaid electricity bills by members of Aboriginal communities to band councils.
·Montreal, Canada
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Hydro-Québec mulls waiving $250M in unpaid power bills in Indigenous communities
A report commissioned by Hydro-Québec is recommending the utility forgive more than $250 million in unpaid electricity bills owed by members of some First Nations and Inuit communities and instead allow the communities themselves to decide how those debts should be handled.
·Ottawa, Canada
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Hydro-Québec is expected to waive $250 million in unpaid electricity bills in Aboriginal communities, according to a report it commissioned.
·Montreal, Canada
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources13
Leaning Left8Leaning Right1Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution73% Left
Bias Distribution
- 73% of the sources lean Left
73% Left
L 73%
C 18%
Factuality
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