Rates on the rock rise on Canada Day

Electricity bills for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will increase five to six per cent on July 1.

The Newfoundland Labrador Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities approved Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador HydroÂ’s application for an increase.

The companies say a higher than expected increase in the cost of Bunker C oil is the reason for the increase.

For the average island consumer without electric heat, their bill will go from $105.90 to $111.87, an increase of 5.6 per cent.

People with electric heat that use more power on average will see their bills will go up 6.1 per cent from $196.20 on average to $208.18.

People in isolate areas of the island will see a slightly smaller increase, and Labrador residentsÂ’ power rates will not change.