100,000 Quebecers pledged to turn off the lights Wednesday evening as a protest against Hydro-Quebec's annual rate hike.

The Facebook group asked people to turn off their central breakers for one hour beginning at 7 p.m.

There was also a protest Wednesday morning in Park Extension, as demonstrators marched through the neighbourhood before delivering a petition to their MNA.

Energy Minister Pierre Arcand said on Wednesday morning that he understands the frustration of those who will turn off their lights to protest hydro rates.

"It's more than inflation," said Arcand, with regards to the price increase.

Isabelle Mailloux-Beique of ACEF Montreal North said many people in Park Extension have difficulty coping with annual price increases.

"I think it's too much. 2.9 percent is too much for a lot of people in Park Extension. A lot of people live below the poverty level, 34 percent of the people here are below the poverty level," she said.

A 2.9 percent rate hike came into effect on April 1 after being approved by the provincial Energy Board last month. The Energy Board said the provincial utility's investments in wind energy justified the price hike.

In 2014 Hydro-Quebec increased prices by 4.3 percent for residential customers and proceeded to earn a record profit of $3.38 billion -- money that ended up in the provincial government's coffers.

Meanwhile the Energy Board has asked Hydro-Quebec to be more flexible when negotiating payments with those who can't pay their bills and to establish a support centre for low-income households.

The board also wants Hydro-Quebec to review its administration fees, right now fixed at 14.4 per cent.