These days have been hectic: a new fall schedule, the demands of the job, hours behind the wheel every day. But through the traffic, the appointments, and getting the kid to school on time, one thing stuck out: a bright green piece of paper.
A disconnection notice. Toronto Hydro was going to shut off our electricity.
“Service will be disconnected between: 9/29/2026 and 10/12/2026.”
They were going to cut our hydro because we were late on a payment of $276.09.
It hit me hard. They were going to stop the electricity in our house – the fridge, the stove, the heat?
It seemed extreme. We depend on electricity for our necessities. Take it away and you’re forsaking us to squatting.
And for what? The first time we ever fell behind. Why not just take us to small claims court? We simply didn’t get around to paying the bill. There was nothing malicious about it.
What about people who fall behind because they truly can’t afford it anymore? For those in serious red, Toronto Hydro has an arrears management program through the Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) — that’s what it says on the green paper.
But for everyone else: pay up or lose your fridge, your stove, your lights, your laundry, your home heating, your internet.
I know Toronto Hydro had about a billion in costs last year upgrading the system. But we’ve been loyal, captive customers for decades, and for one late payment they’d kick us to the curb.
I don’t know. It doesn’t seem right. Yes, I know: “Just pay your bills on time, you big whiner.” True. But sometimes we make mistakes. Even the most righteous of us. And when we do, I’d like our public service provider not to club me over the head.
I know Toronto Hydro is being pushed toward privatization. I don’t want that: the costs would be higher, and I’d still get the bright green piece of paper.
It’s good to know Toronto Hydro isn’t allowed to cut off electricity for non-payment in the winter months, but the green paper doesn’t mention that. I had to look it up.
I’m just saying a courteous note would have been nice, Toronto Hydro.
Bad electricity provider. Bad.
