N.S. woman decries power rate increase amid cost-of-living crisis: ‘When does it end?’

As Nova Scotians already struggle with the rising cost of living, people across the province now have to deal with yet another hit to their wallets: a power rate increase.

As Nova Scotians already struggle with the rising cost of living, people across the province now have to deal with yet another hit to their wallets: a rate increase from Nova Scotia Power.

The power rate for residential customers went up by an average of 6.5 per cent as of Jan. 1, the second part of a 13.8 per cent jump over two years.

Halifax resident Amy Langdon took to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Wednesday to express her frustration with the rate hike, as well as high taxes and the recent increase of the rent cap from two to five per cent.

“Starting to wonder why work bothers to pay us and not just send it directly to five people,” she wrote.

In an interview, Langdon said she’s had to make “hard choices” in recent years due to the rapidly rising cost of housing, groceries and utilities.

“Everywhere you turn, it’s just something increasing,” she said. “When does it end? When do Nova Scotians get to live instead of just survive?”

Langdon said she makes about what’s considered a living wage in Nova Scotia, but she’s still “just getting by.”