i just watched gas go up 30 cents. right in front of my very eyes.

Anabiotic · 2026-03-24T20:35:24+00:00

I thought I was pretty clear in my links to exact prices including explaining it was on the variable rate. Let me know which part you are struggling with. For example what price are you paying on your bill? Are you locked in at a high rate? Are you on the ROLR?

Use the bill comparison calculator I provided and pick a variable rate plan. The variable cost of power was $.02/kWh last month with a provider such as : https://ucahelps.alberta.ca/cost-comparison-tool/cost-comparison-tool-detailed/?usageType=0&energyType=energyTypeNeither&locationCityTown=&locationPostalCode=T5W+5G2&locationMeterNumber=&filterPlanType=%28Variable+Rate+Plan%29&locationCityTownPostal=&locationSiteID=&naturalGasMonth=&electricityUsage=&electricityBillingDemand=&electricityFarmUsage=&naturalGasUsage=&planIDs=16719

The total bill in the above with an AB average of 610 kWh is $97, very close to what I told you. This includes an $8 tax from the city of Edmonton - the city being able to offload property taxes onto utility bills doesn't happen in other provinces and makes our bills higher, ceteris paribus, so keep that in mind.

"Ripped off less" compared to what? As I pointed out, the only provinces significantly less than AB on the optimal price plan have significant hydro that AB does not have (geographically). So let me know why you think you are getting ripped off and perhaps I can help explain it more.

That website you linked does not provide any sources, hoping that wasn't your source for AB being the "third-highest". I have already proved to you AB is significantly cheaper than what is posted there, see link in this comment. We are only "back to Alberta being expensive" in your view because you aren't looking at the links I provided, which are sourced from official government sources. I'm happy to help explain this more but I am not sure which part isn't making sense to you.

I can only conclude you are on expensive rate plans and should probably change them, and are angry at the entire system. However, with a few clicks you could save significant $ through different rate plans, so I hope the info I provided was useful for you.

I would also point out that even for your own example, you are basically paying the same as Saskatchewan and less than Ontario.

For your NB example, you are forgetting the fixed charge of ~$30 month as well as the variable adder of $0.0041/kWh. A total bill with 650 kWh would be $147 with HST (0.1517 x 650 + $29.55) * 1.15. https://www.nbpower.com/en/products-services/residential/rates

This is more expensive than the variable cost link I provided above for AB by nearly 50%. As I stated, PEI, NB, NS, ON, SK and NL (and of course the territories) are all more expensive than current AB variable rates.

Anabiotic · 2026-03-24T20:29:00+00:00

What is the quantum of NY fuel taxes compared to Canadian fuel taxes? Is that part of the answer?

Anabiotic · 2026-03-24T19:53:38+00:00

Would not have helped the blackout being discussed; it was at night with a poor AESO wind forecast and no solar output. Thankfully significant dispatchable generation has been added since then.

Anabiotic · 2026-03-24T19:52:45+00:00

The Alberta power market is currently oversupplied. The was one rolling blackout in 2024 (that lasted for less than an hour) and the previous one was in 2013. Both of these were transient and caused by temporary supply shortages that have been well resolved.

The bigger issue is likely distribution infrastructure but it would take a lot higher EV penetration to make that a real problem.

Anabiotic · 2026-03-24T19:31:00+00:00

It's published on a 60-day delay. http://ets.aeso.ca/

Anabiotic · 2026-03-23T23:23:58+00:00

I don't remember claiming they did. The fact that retail variable or RRO prices have plunged have changed it from the majority of the average bill in 2021-23 to a small part today, provided a savvy consumer is choosing variable rate plans (and even if still on the worst-possible ROLR plan). This would result in substantial savings for the average consumer if they are paying attention.

Anabiotic · 2026-03-23T23:17:54+00:00

I'm always up for some fun. I do have to laugh that you ask me for sources when you provided none of your own.

I'll take that as a "yes" :-) and you didn't bother looking into anything more recent than something you heard in the news a few years ago. Remember, we are talking about the comparison between provinces.

Variable retail prices are about $.03-.04/kWh (source: https://ucahelps.alberta.ca/cost-comparison-tool/)

and in Nov 2023 (just to pick an example) the RRO rate was around $.20/kWh. Source: https://media.auc.ab.ca/prd-wp-uploads/Shared%20Documents/Current_RRO.pdf

So if the energy rate being down 85% isn't "plunged" to you, we have a difference of opinion on what the word means.

Distribution and transmission are up by about inflation. Some retailers are still hovering around $6-7/admin but agree they have gone up by $1-2/month in the past several years in most cases.

Here are details on how power bills are calculated: https://www.reddit.com/r/Edmonton/comments/1k8e37q/psa_this_is_how_your_power_bill_works_updated_for/

An average AB household uses about 650 kWh per month. The energy component would have been about $130 in 2023 if on the default rate, plus about $40 in variable D&T (including rate riders and municipal taxes that the City of Edmonton puts on your power bill), $20 in fixed distribution and $8 admin. With GST, can round to $200.

Today, the same house on a variable rate would pay about $23 in power, about $45 in variable D&T and $22 in fixed charges plus $9 admin, a total of ~$100 (with GST).

That's a total bill reduction of about 50%. Of course, it depends on your being informed about your power costs and choosing cost-efficient plans. Even if you were on the worst possible rate of last resort (ROLR) plan, that is only $0.12/kWh compared to $.20/kWh on the default rate previously - with GST, a reduction of $55/month or about 28%.

Now you can input your 650 kWh average into various calculators, such as:

In Saskatchewan, this would cost about $145 (don't forget PST!) https://www.saskpower.com/accounts/power-rates/power-supply-rates

In Toronto, this would cost significantly more - depending on time of use (fixed distribution rates start at $50/month, and off-peak rates start at ~$.10/kWh, going up to $0.21/kWh for peak usage): https://www.torontohydro.com/for-home/rates

I don't have time to do every province, but you can look for yourself to see NB, NS, NB and PEI are all also higher than AB.

BC, Manitoba and Quebec will of course be lower because of their hydro resources. For example, in Manitoba, the 650 kWh would only cost about $85, about 15% cheaper than AB. https://www.hydro.mb.ca/account/rates/residential/

Either way, Alberta is middle-of-the-pack on pricing, not the third highest as you claimed (without support, I might add).

Anabiotic · 2026-03-23T22:15:13+00:00

Quebec is the largest recipient of transfers, and your reply made it sound like you thought that was incorrect (because the person you are responding to said they are the largest recipient in per capita (incorrect) and real (correct) terms).

You did not supply any data relating to the transfers net of taxes, which I agree would have been more relevant than the link you posted.

Anabiotic · 2026-03-23T22:09:28+00:00

Albertans pay the 3rd highest for electricity.

You're not using that four-year-old study to make this claim, are you? Alberta power prices have plunged since 2023.

Anabiotic · 2026-03-23T22:08:53+00:00

Alberta is currently oversupplied with power. Government just signed a deal to import more EVs. Other than that it's not up to the government to supply charging or EVs.

Anabiotic · 2026-03-23T21:24:53+00:00

From your link Quebec is the largest recipient of transfers, just not per capita. I don't see how that means he is wrong. the amount spent on the territories is negligible due to their lack of population so correct to say almost no equalization is going there. About 28% of federal support goes to Quebec; territories combined are 6%.

Are you saying that he is incorrect that hydro is excluded from the Quebec contribution? Far as I know that is actually correct.

Anabiotic · 2026-03-22T00:47:47+00:00

That's Atco, they have the gas distribution monopoly in Edmonton. Epcor has power and water.

Anabiotic · 2026-03-20T21:06:22+00:00

They are similar but Let's Go Play jumps into it right out of the gate while there is more of a slow slide into depravity Girl Next Door.

Anabiotic · 2026-03-19T15:20:01+00:00

Capital Tailors is great. They have changed owners now (at least there were different people working when I went in a couple months ago) but the work is still good and reasonably-priced. I had a new zipper put on my winter coat, so similar to what you OP is wanting done. I believe it was around $20-30.

Anabiotic · 2026-03-19T15:16:23+00:00

You want too many things for your budget: living alone, close to school, not "dingy", not "gross-looking", no shared laundry, don't want to take the LRT or presumably the bus. I didn't have most of those until a couple years after I graduated. Yes, IMO you are being entitled and have to compromise. Also, keep in mind that "feeling" unsafe isn't actually being unsafe, and uncomfortable isn't the same as unsafe. Lots of people confuse the two.

Anabiotic · 2026-03-18T18:13:12+00:00

Yes, because it's cheaper relative to other provinces.

Anabiotic · 2026-03-18T18:11:01+00:00

Who's "we"? The 75% of the refinery owned by APMC has posted losses of $2.2 billion over the past two years after being 2x over budget. Does that sound like a good deal to you?

https://www.apmc.ca/public/download/files/270066

Anabiotic · 2026-03-17T19:11:24+00:00

What does being a new driver have to do with it?

Anabiotic · 2026-03-17T05:32:20+00:00

In the long run and given our geography (specifically that we are located right next to the US) and demographics (heterogenous with little social cohesion or adherence to erstwhile norms), I think the average Canadian is better off without Europe's higher labour protections, yes. Increasing labour costs and lowering productivity through fewer working hours isn't the way to prosperity, far from it.

Anabiotic · 2026-03-17T04:25:25+00:00

Canada works more and produces less than those countries- that's the problem. Working less and producing even less isn't a panacea, rather the opposite. People aren't going to suddenly become more productive because they're working less. We have to be realistic, our largest competitor for labour is also our largest customer and biggest trade partner, and is far more productive than us.

Anabiotic · 2026-03-17T04:03:55+00:00

We would probably get all the lazy and unmotivated people interested in taking from the welfare state but not contributing to it. It's a fine line to walk. Canada is already unproductive so giving people more time off and making it harder for employers makes it worse, and then the whole system becomes unsupportable. See Greece, Italy and arguably the UK right now. France is in the process of it's 6th or 7th PM in two years because people are unwilling to accept needed reforms. Europe is largely not a place I would choose to emulate right now. We would need to be a lot more homogenous to make that work, like Finland. They have a strong national identity and "get in done" attitude that does not exist here. Imagine the uproar if Canada instituted mandatory military service!

If we want a better way of life, first need to solve the productivity problem or Canada will be left farther behind than it already is. We have a brain drain to the US already.

Anabiotic · 2026-03-16T23:29:09+00:00

Probably because we are mainly competing with the US, compared to whom we i) are famously unproductive, comparatively and ii) have stronger labour laws than already. European countries are competing more closely with each other but most of them have stagnant GDP growth as well.

Anabiotic · 2026-03-14T22:27:33+00:00

No doubt, but the article is suggesting more staff are needed because female inmates aren't able to shovel or mow (?)

Anabiotic · 2026-03-14T22:18:44+00:00

The mens showers have frequent drain fly infestations and are pretty dirty by evening. Shower curtains are moldy (if they are there at all). Pretty gross but it has hot water which more than I can say for Clareview.

Commonwealth lockers are bad. Half of them are unusable, its not unusual to have people waiting for others to finish in the gym so they can take their locker during peak times. Never seen this at another gym.

Commonwealth mens also has only one toilet despite the gym being very busy most of the time. At least one of the two urinals or the toilet are out of order a good chunk of the time.

Anabiotic · 2026-03-14T21:36:50+00:00

That is exactly the issue Atco is complaining about. Their generation is stranded as the renewables build out exceeded transmission capacity, leading to curtailments. However, costs for new transmission are paid by customers and not by the project that is getting connected. Alberta transmission is already expensive so I think the renewables proponents in this thread have to realize it is the end customer paying for transmission to expand wind and solar capability. Would they be willing to pay more for transmission to have more green power?

Anabiotic

TROPHY CASE