The New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board hosted a virtual public forum on the evening of March 5 to discuss N.B. Power’s 2026-2027 General Rate Application that suggested a rate hike of 4.75%.
Although the purpose of the forum was to discuss the rate application, the central issue raised during the virtual forum was transparency, which, Pamela Ross, one of two total presenters, called N.B. Power out on during the forum.
“There’s a transparency issue. I have been watching a lot of the hearings and events, and there was an admitted lack of transparency, and that (Chief Commercial Officer of N.B. Power) Brad Coady would do better to improve upon that transparency,” said Ross.
According to Ross, transparency and accountability are linked. She says there is a lack of knowledge about changes being brought to the public.
“In my perception, there is a general lack of knowledge out there because of a lack of transparency, and people are confused on a lot of issues that may be esoteric to some, but not to the mass of rate payers – public participation is needed,” explained Ross.
Chairperson Christopher Stewart noted the holding of the public forum and the continual record-keeping as ways that the public can participate. “The fact of the matter is that we get here this evening and there’s only two of you, so what can we do or what should N.B. Power do to help bring out the folks in a way you think will serve the system?”
Ross inquired if there is something that the Board could be doing to have better engagement, referencing a prior Board meeting that was to be held in Fredericton, where the public was invited to participate. However, after a lack of participation, the meeting was cancelled.
“What is it you could be doing that you’re not doing to have better engagement? Because if you cannot do it, I am not going to be able to [participate],” said Ross. “Why are you not getting the public engagement when it’s so loud on social media, and I don’t mean angry people, it’s people that are frustrated and have apathy. They are digging in their heels at this point, saying, ‘what does it matter, we are not heard anyway.'”
Chairperson Stewart asked both presenters for their suggestions on an implementable way in which the public could be better informed or engaged, to which both responded with the same argument; transparency will lead to accountability, which will lead to trust.
The chairperson says there is work the board can do to further engage the public.
The meeting ran for just under 50 minutes, and only two participants registered in advance to present comments to the Board.
Present for the virtual meeting were Chairperson Christopher Stewart, member Heather Black, and member Michael Pickup.
There will be a hearing at the Fredericton Convention Centre on Monday, March 9, 2026, for N.B. Power’s 2026-2027 General Rate Application.
