Utilities are going to cost more next year in Saskatoon.
The water rate is set to increase 9.5 per cent, costing the average homeowner about nine dollars more monthly.
Saskatoon Light and Power’s overall electricity rate is going up 3.5 per cent, which will add an additional four dollars each month to the average customer.
READ MORE: SaskPower rate increase coming next month
For Ryan Thomas, a single father with cerebral palsy who is raising two kids and trying to make ends meet, it’s a bigger bite out of his paycheque he can’t afford to give up.
“You have to choose between rent, or paying utilities, you know?” Thomas said.
“All of the normal day-to-day living costs and then you hear that the utilities are going up and you’re kind of wondering ‘OK, what’s next?”
The utility rate increase is also concerning for seniors.
“A lot of seniors really are struggling to make ends meet every month… and in many cases, family members assist them to see them through,” Herve Langlois, a retired city official, said.
READ MORE: Saskatoon property tax increase set at 3.89% in 2017 civic budget
Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark said the water increase is to fix existing infrastructure.
“I don’t want to minimize that these water rates are going to have an impact in terms of bills,” said Clark.
“But we also haven’t been investing in fixing up the water lines that are underneath the streets, and we see, the impact of that now when we have water main breaks, or the lead lines that are out there.”
“The reason that we’re doing this is to make sure that we can reinvest in the system as it is and not pass off costs down the road.”
City officials said there are steps people can take to reduce energy use and costs:
- ensure homes are well insulated and properly sealed;
- invest in energy saving appliances; and
- install automatic timers on lights.
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