Extra charges ridiculous

I am just about to pay this month’s utility bills for a rural property on which we are constructing a new home.

My Epcor bill is for $53.87, of which only $16.31 is for electricity. The remainder is administrative charges.

My Direct Energy bill is for $126.16, of which $0.00 is for the cost of gas. The entire bill is for “administrative and distribution” charges.

Direct Energy has charged me $94.50 as a “distributor reconnect fee.” This is on top of the $2,300 Atco Gas charged to do the actual physical reconnection of the gas meter.

I have to agree with Alberta New Democrat Leader Brian Mason when he asks, “Why are we putting up with this crap?” In Alberta, gas and electricity are not luxuries we can choose to do without.

What frightens me is that these same Tories are continuing to apply this failed model of privatization to the delivery of our health care. I can only imagine what the “administrative and distribution” charges will be for private clinics attempting to make a profit for their owners and shareholders.

Neil Fleming, Edmonton