The Honourable John Hogan, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, the Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister of Digital Government and Service NL, and the Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, today announced a review of the Public Utilities legislation. The review will include legislation under a number of departments, as outlined in the backgrounder below.

The ministers will be available today to media in-person at the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building, at 12:30 p.m. The availability will be live-streamed on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Facebook page. Masks and physical distancing will be required for attendees.

The review will be led by a project team consisting of officials from the Department of Justice and Public Safety, with participation and support from the departments of Digital Government and Service NL, Industry, Energy and Technology and Transportation and Infrastructure.

In addition to a review of the relevant legislation, the work will also include engagement with stakeholders, including meetings and written submissions from, but not limited to, the Public Utilities Board, the Consumer Advocate, NL Hydro and Newfoundland Power. If necessary, the project team may retain external resources to support their work including legal, consultants, as well as experts to advise on specialized issues. Information gathered during the review will help determine the policy direction for any potential legislative amendments.

The Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities, established by the Public Utilities Act, is an independent, quasi-judicial regulatory body appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, and operates primarily under the authority of the Public Utilities Act, which establishes the Board, how it functions, conducts hearings and recovers costs.

Since 2004, the Public Utilities Board has been responsible for the regulation of maximum prices for petroleum products in the province in accordance with the Petroleum Products Act. Notice has been given for amendments to this Act to be introduced into the House of Assembly.

Proposed Amendments would aim to improve transparency of the Public Utilities Board’s process to set petroleum product prices and to build a greater understanding of what informs the fuel pricing process. As this legislation has already been reviewed, it will not be included in the work being done by the project team. The review will also exclude the Automobile Insurance Act, as a comprehensive review of this Act concluded in 2019.

The review of the Public Utilities legislation is anticipated to conclude by early fall. Any legislative amendments will be considered through the normal legislative process.

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“The review of Public Utilities Board legislation is important to ensure the applicable legislation is up to date, reflects best practices, and achieves its objectives in the best interests of the people of the province, particularly in relation to gas prices and electrical utilities regulation. Legislation that relates to the Public Utilities Board affects many residents of the province so it is only prudent that we conduct a review to ensure all applicable pieces of legislation are working as intended.”
Honourable John Hogan, QC

Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General

“I completely understand how frustrating it is when fuel prices rise and fall, and how frustrating it is, not to be able to access a transparent breakdown of what makes up fuel prices. If passed, the changes we are introducing to the Petroleum Products Act will lead to better information for consumers.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Digital Government and Service NL

“The review of the Public Utilities legislation will include a review of the Electrical Power Control Act. Minister Hogan and I have met with the consumer advocate and have heard his concerns about the existing legislation. A thorough review of this legislation, as part of the overall review of the Public Utilities legislation, will help ensure that it is current and responsive to consumers, while ensuring transparency and accountability.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

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Learn more
Provincial Government to Initiate Review of the Public Utilities Act

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Media contacts
Emily-Jane Gillingham
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-2634, 730-4607
EmilyGillingham@gov.nl.ca

Krista Dalton
Digital Government and Service NL
709-729-4748, 685-6492
kristadalton@gov.nl.ca

Kelly-Anne Roberts
Industry, Energy and Technology
709-725-5248, 327-7005
kelly-anneroberts@gov.nl.ca

Backgrounder

The PUB is responsible for the regulation of the electric utilities in the province to ensure that the rates charged are just and reasonable, and that the service provided is safe and reliable. The PUB is also responsible for the supervision of rates charged by automobile insurers for the various automobile insurance coverages under the Automobile Insurance Act; limited regulation of the motor carrier industry in relation to certain passenger and ambulance operations under the Motor Carrier Act, as well as conducting hearings and other required activities under the Expropriation Act.

The Public Utilities legislation includes:

• The Public Utilities Act (JPS)
• The Electrical Power Control Act, 1994 (IET)
• The Petroleum Products Act (DGSNL)
• The Automobile Insurance Act (DGSNL)
• The Insurance Companies Act (DGSNL)
• The Motor Carrier Act (DGSNL)
• The Expropriation Act (TI)