Electricity rates in Canada for 2026 by province: who sets them and how to compare

Electricity and natural gas rates in Canada are set province by province. In every province a regulator or the provincial government approves what the local utility may charge for delivery, and in most provinces also for the energy itself. Only Ontario and Alberta have a broad competitive retail market where households can sign a contract with a licensed retailer instead of staying on the regulated default. So the first step in comparing rates is not to look for "the cheapest provider" but to find out which parts of your bill you can actually choose, and which are fixed for everyone in your area.

This guide is the hub for our section on rates and rules. It explains who sets prices, what changed by 2026, and links to the detailed guides for each province.

Who sets the price in each province

Natural gas follows a similar pattern: Enbridge Gas in most of Ontario (OEB), ATCO Gas, Apex Utilities and others in Alberta (AUC), FortisBC in British Columbia (BCUC), Énergir in much of Québec (Régie de l'énergie). In Ontario and Alberta, gas can also be bought from a licensed marketer or retailer.

How a regulated rate is built

Regulators use a "cost of service" approach. The utility applies with a forecast of what it needs to recover: power purchases or generation costs, wires and pipes, staff, billing, depreciation and a permitted return on investment. Interveners, including consumer groups, can test the evidence in a public hearing. The regulator then approves rates for each customer class, usually residential, small commercial and larger classes.

The result on your bill has two broad parts:

• Energy or commodity: the electricity (kWh) or gas (GJ or m³) itself. In Ontario this is the Regulated Price Plan; in Alberta the Rate of Last Resort or the gas Default Rate Tariff; in BC and Québec it is part of the integrated utility rate.
• Delivery: transmission and distribution, often a fixed daily or monthly charge plus a per-unit charge, plus riders that recover or refund past differences.

Our guide to delivery versus commodity charges shows why a cut in the energy price can leave your bill almost unchanged.

What is current in 2026

These are the main official changes in force as of late October 2026. Each one has its own guide.

Read Ontario's RPP prices from 1 November 2026, the Ontario Electricity Rebate, Alberta's Rate of Last Resort vs retailers, BC Hydro's tiered, flat and time-of-day rates, Hydro-Québec Rate D and natural gas rates after the carbon charge.

How to compare rates in your province

1. Find your usage. Log into your utility account and export 12 months of kWh (and GJ or m³ for gas). A single bill hides seasonal swings.
2. Identify what you can choose. In Ontario: TOU, ULO, tiered or a retail contract. In Alberta: the default or a retailer. In BC: tiered or flat, with or without time-of-day. In Québec: Rate D or its optional variants.
3. Separate energy from delivery. Delivery is usually the same whichever energy option you pick, so compare the energy part and the fees that differ.
4. Run the numbers. Use the bill estimator and the plan comparison tool, or follow the worked examples for comparing plans.
5. Check the contract terms before signing anything: term, exit fee, renewal, admin fees. See cancellation rights.

A quick illustration

A household using 700 kWh a month on Ontario's tiered plan in winter pays 700 × 11.2¢ = $78.40 for energy from 1 November 2026, before delivery, regulatory charges, the rebate and HST. The same 700 kWh at BC Hydro's tiered Tier 1 price would be 700 × 11.87¢ = $83.09 for energy, before the basic charge and taxes. This does not mean one province is "cheaper": delivery charges, billing periods and taxes differ, which is why you compare plans within your own province.

Common misunderstandings

• "Ottawa sets my hydro rate." It does not; rates are provincial. The federal government's main recent effect on bills was removing the consumer fuel charge in 2025.
• "A retailer can lower my delivery charge." In Ontario and Alberta, delivery is charged by the regulated distributor whoever sells you energy.
• "Hydro means Hydro One." In Canada "hydro bill" is everyday language for an electricity bill, whoever the utility is.
• "The regulated price is a ceiling." Retail prices can be higher or lower than the default. Compare.

When to get help

If you are comparing a long fixed contract, are behind on payments, or believe a contract was signed without your consent, contact your regulator's consumer line before acting. Our complaints guide by province lists them.

FAQ

Is electricity cheaper in some provinces?

Average residential prices differ a lot between provinces because of generation mix, history and policy, but you can only choose among the options in your own province. Compare plans within it.

How often do rates change?

It varies: Ontario RPP prices are reviewed on 1 November, Hydro-Québec usually adjusts on 1 April, and many gas commodity rates change monthly or quarterly.

Can I buy electricity from another province?

No. Households buy from their local utility or, in Ontario and Alberta, from a retailer licensed in that province.

Does the regulator approve retailer prices?

No. Regulators license retailers and enforce consumer protection rules, but retailers set their own prices.

Sources

• Ontario Energy Board — RPP prices, rules for distributors and retailers
• Alberta Utilities Commission — rate decisions and Rate of Last Resort
• Utilities Consumer Advocate (Alberta) — default rates and retailer guidance
• British Columbia Utilities Commission — BC Hydro and FortisBC rate decisions
• Régie de l'énergie du Québec — Hydro-Québec and Énergir rates and complaints
• Government of Canada — fuel charge information