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
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city, marking the first franchise in Canada
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Federal government bans watercraft from Manitoba lake popular with tourists
The threat of zebra mussels has prompted the federal government to temporarily ban watercraft from a Manitoba lake popular with tourists.
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.