The bill deferrals were announced on March 18 as part of the financial relief program by the Alberta government on March 18.
Residential, farm, and small commercial customers can defer bill payments for electricity and natural gas until June 18 by contacting their utility providers. Those who get the deferrals will have to pay for their deferred electricity and natural gas bills after the program ends on June 18.
As per the statement, Bill 14, the Utility Payment Deferral Program Act, will be introduced on May 6, when the legislature reconvenes.
Jason Nixon, Government House Leader said, “Albertans are currently facing an economic one-two punch. The province’s residents and businesses are contending with the COVID-19 pandemic as well as plunging oil prices resulting from the recent OPEC price war. There’s no sugar-coating it – these are dire times for the province. Government is offering help in the form of allowing individuals and small businesses to defer some utility payments. Albertans are resilient, but we need to support those who need help most during this challenging time.”