‘It’s going to have an impact’: CFIB on Nova Scotia Power’s proposed rate hike
Posted Sep 8, 2025 05:25:30 AM.
Last Updated Sep 9, 2025 11:34:50 AM.
A business advocacy group is adding its voice to the chorus of opposition to Nova Scotia Power’s proposed rate hike.
Last week, Nova Scotia power announced it will be seeking rate increases of 4.1 per cent in each of the next two years for residential customers.
The rate increase proposed for businesses is smaller, at around 2.1 per cent, but Duncan Robertson with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business tells CityNews Halifax that’s still impactful.
“It depends on the amount of power you consume, so a business, I would imagine, would consume more than a household,” he said. “So that rate percent to percent might not seem like a lot, but when you think of the dollar value, it is going to have an impact; there is no doubt.”
Robertson said comments from the premier last week calling Nova Scotia Power’s rate hike “out of touch” echo sentiments he’s been hearing from businesses.
“We still feel betrayed by Nova Scotia Power. This is not the time for a rate increase. This is a time for Nova Scotia Power to show they understand Nova Scotians and withdraw or significantly reduce their application,” reads a statement from Tim Houston.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation, meanwhile, also opposes the increase, saying the utility should look internally for savings instead of asking Nova Scotians to pay more.
The utility says it plans to file its rate application to the NSEB later in September.
