A coalition calling itself "Peuple allumé" filed a class-action lawsuit against Hydro-Québec in superior Court Tuesday morning.
Peuple allumé’s Bryan Furlong wasn’t mincing words when criticizing Hydro Quebec’s alleged overbilling of its customers.
“They don’t reflect reality and that’s what sucks,” said Furlong.
Furlong said the utility has consistently provided inaccurate information to the Régie de l’énergie, on which it based its decisions.
Peuple allumé alleges the overbilling, year-after-year, has added up to more than $1.2-billion of overpayments by Hydro Quebec customers.
“We were told that certain people know that they’re inaccurate and so our...class-action, is based on that,” added Furlong.
Hydro-Québec is taking this case seriously and dispatched spokesperson Serge Abergel to the coalition’s event with a similar message.
“We believe the information they’re sharing with everybody today is completely contrary to reality,” said Abergel.
“I don’t know what they’re looking at and how they’re looking at it, but what I can tell you is that there is absolutely no overbilling,” stressed Abergel. “We are charging Quebecers exactly what we said we would charge them.”
The Court filing is $1,223-Billion - one of the largest class actions to be filed in Quebec. It seeks reimbursement for "excessive profits resulting from higher returns than those established by the Régie de l'energie” as being reasonable.
Peuple allumé sent a letter to Premier Philippe Couillard back in April demanding the government reimburse the overpayments to Hydro-Québec customers, but didn't receive a response. That's why the coalition has decided to take action in court.