Montrealers protest against Hydro-Quebec price hikes and smart meters

MONTREAL – A rally was held this afternoon to protest Hydro-Quebec’s use of smart meters and planned price hikes.

Hydro-Quebec announced a month ago that it would increase rates by 2.9 per cent starting April 1.

READ MORE: Hydro-Quebec hikes: electricity just got more expensive in Quebec

This announcement came on the heels of a record-breaking year for Hydro-Quebec which showed a 15 per cent growth in profitability over last year.

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The demonstration organized by Debout contre Hydro-Quebec, or Stand up to Hydro-Quebec, began at 1 p.m. in front of Hydro’s head offices on René Lévesque Boulevard, and peacefully wound its way up  University, around to Ste-Catherine Street, down Berri and back on René Lévesque and Hydro-Quebec headquarters.

Organizers  failed to attract the 1500 protesters they were hoping for.

The next planned protest–No power hour— is set for April 1.