GST is ONLY to be paid on ‘Electricity Usage’ – so why are we paying it to BC Hydro for their ‘Customer Crisis Fund’

From the, “WERE YOU AWARE?” file

As I am sure you are all aware, a year or so back BC Hydro, in their compassion and humanity for others, decided to set up a “Customer Crisis Fund” --- the only thing was, they uncharitably decided to ding us (their customers) for the revenue required for the fund.

They can dress it up any way they like, but with the blessing of the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC), they forced us to help them avoid loses from customers not paying their hydro bills.

A BC Hydro customer doesn’t pay ... and so we get the honour. 

I know it’s an over-dramatization however, it’s kinda like Papa John’s delivering a pizza to your neighbour -- they don’t have the money to pay -- so the delivery guys walks over to your house and you get to pay the bill, in accordance with the rules and regulations set up for the Pizza Crisis Fund.

What a great idea --- and only one which the government is allowed to foist on us, with NO opportunity to have it overturned.

I’m not sure how much you may be paying towards this fund (it’s honestly really not that much) however mine equals to 24 cents a month.  According to the BC Utilities Commission, the total raised from all 1.8 million hydro customers works out to FIVE POINT THREE MILLION DOLLARS PER year.

$5.3 million taken from us without our approval – but here’s the kicker. Pick up your bill, and take a close look.

On the line for the Basic Charge you’ll see a little asterisk (*)

On the Energy Charges Step #1 price you’ll also see a little asterisk (*)

The Energy Charges Step #2 price also has a little asterisk (*)

And finally, the Customer Crisis Charge price, also with a little asterisk (*)

Now look at the “Taxes on Electricity Usage” line and you’ll see the asterisk (*) again. It, refers to the 5% GST (Goods and Services Tax) which is to be paid for electricity usage.

The “Customer Crisis Fund” does not use electricity – it’s simply monies the BC Utilities Commission has allowed BC Hydro to add to the bill of each and every customer.  

IF the GST is ONLY to be paid on “Electricity Usage” , then why are we paying it for hydro’s “Customer Crisis Fund”.

Whether it was done deliberately or not, the BC Utilities Commission should immediately tell BC Hydro to cease applying the 5% GST charge to our statement, and return the monies already taken from us.

No Goods ... No Services ... NO GST!  At least one thing should be Ding Free --- shouldn’t it??