Ontario energy company to issue more than $2.6M in customer credits after billing error
An Ontario energy company that was overcharging customers until earlier this year will provide one-time credits totalling more than $2.6 million, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) has confirmed.
In a statement issued Tuesday evening, the OEB said it had accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance (AVC) from Elexicon Energy Inc., which serves approximately 173,000 customers in the Durham region area. An AVC is a binding written commitment to correct violations identified by a regulatory body.
“Under the terms of this AVC, Elexicon acknowledges that a billing system error resulted in customers across all rate classes being charged more than certain OEB-approved charges,” the statement said. The error was resolved in May, the board said.
Elexicon must pay a fine of $7,500 and provide credits totalling $2,658,000, the board said. To customers in its Veridian Rate Zone, the company must provide credit equivalent to four years of overcharges. Customers in its Whitby Rate Zone will receive credits for 15 months worth of overcharges.
The refunds will be issued through a one-time credit which will appear on customers’ bills within 90 days, it said.
The board says the error was discovered when it became aware of “a billing issue relating to the proration of certain charges” earlier this year. At that time, it requested all electricity distributors review their billing systems.
“Elexicon reviewed its billing system and reported that it had been incorrectly prorating its fixed monthly charges and as a result overcharged its customers,” the statement said.
“All licensed electricity distributors must be rigorous in applying OEB-approved rates and calculating accurate billing amounts for their customers,” Brian Hewson, vice-president of consumer protection at the OEB, said in the statement.
“Billing accuracy is foundational to customer trust and the OEB is assured that Elexicon has fixed this billing issue.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.