The provincial government wants the Energy Board to think carefully before approving another rate increase for Hydro Quebec.
In August the electrical utility asked for a 3.9 percent increase in rates beginning April 1, 2015.
This comes after Hydro Quebec was allowed to increase its price by 4.3 percent in 2014 (it had asked for a 5.8 percent hike) and had its most profitable year in history.
Energy Minister Pierre Arcand said he knows the Energy Board is independent and operates at arm's length from the government, but he still wanted the board to think of poorer citizens before fixing rates.
"Let's try to look at it very carefully because it's the second raise, very important raise so let's listen to Hydro's arguments and let's take into account those low-income families," said Arcand.
The provincial utility says the hike is justified because of the investments it has been making into new power plants, especially wind power generators, and said the requested increase would be higher if it hadn't convinced customers to be more efficient.
The Energy Board is expected to makes its decision early in 2015.
