“Do We Eat or Keep the Lights On?”: Nova Scotia ACORN Members Take on Rising Power Bills at Fair Energy Meeting!

Nearly 30 ACORN members, tenants, and allies packed into Veith House on March 24 for a powerful Fair Energy Meeting that echoed one clear message: Nova Scotians are fed up with rising power bills and ready to fight back!

The meeting brought together community members to break down the growing energy affordability crisis, hear directly from those impacted, and build the next steps in the campaign for fair energy.

ACORN members laid out the reality facing tenants across the province. With electricity prices soaring and an 8% rate hike on the table, many are being pushed to the brink. Around 43% of Nova Scotians are living in energy poverty, and tenants are being hit especially hard — with many paying over $300 a month for heat while living in poorly insulated homes.

At the meeting, ACORN leaders Darryl King and Chris Salmeron walked through the full picture of the crisis. We reviewed the issues and key facts behind rising rates, heard powerful testimonies from tenants, welcomed guest speakers, reviewed ACORN’s platform, and broke into groups to plan how to grow the campaign and take action.

The testimonies were a powerful reminder of what’s at stake. ACORN members shared stories of being forced to choose between food and electricity, rationing medication, and living with constant stress over whether they can afford to keep the lights on. We also heard from guest speakers including NDP Dartmouth MLA Susan Leblanc and Ecology Action Center Energy Coordinator Juli Bishwokarma, both backing the need for urgent action on energy affordability.

While the room was full of people ready to engage, one seat remained empty — reserved for Premier and self-appointed Energy Minister Tim Houston, who was invited, but didn’t show up to hear from the people dealing with these bills every day (but we didn’t need him in the room to get organized anyway!)

ACORN members also presented a clear set of demands to address the crisis. Nova Scotia ACORN is calling on the province to:

• Reduce Nova Scotia Power’s allowed profit margin
• Create a permanent Home Energy Affordability Program, including:
  • 50% bill rebates for low-income households
  • Debt forgiveness for those behind on their bills
  • A crisis fund to keep people’s lights on in emergencies
• Invest in energy-efficient upgrades to rental housing, with strong protections against rent increases and renovictions

The meeting wrapped with a strong focus on action. Members brainstormed ways to grow the campaign, gather more stories and support, and keep the pressure on decision-makers.

Next up: ACORN’s “Power Bills UP” action – April 14th at 12PM noon outside Halifax Central Library!
We’ll be hanging up real power bills in front of the Halifax Central Library to expose the true cost of electricity in Nova Scotia.

The momentum is building — and ACORN members are just getting started.Want to join the fight for fair energy? Make sure to join us on April 14th, share our online action to send an email to MLAs in support of ACORN’s demands for fair energy, and of course sign up to be an ACORN member!