Regulator Intends to Fine Retail Supplier $60,000

The Ontario Energy Board announced an intention to issue an order requiring Just Energy Ontario LP to comply with a number of enforceable provisions and to pay an administrative penalty in the amount of $60,000 (all $ Canadian), "for breaches of enforceable provisions."

The Board alleged that, "A Just Energy salesperson attended at an Ottawa consumer's residence on June 3, 2013. The salesperson introduced himself as being from the 'hydro' company. He stated that he was there to make sure that all small volume consumers were switched to a single rate, which he called the 'group distribution rate'. He explained that consumers were being billed time of use rates which represented three pricing periods. He was attending residences to ensure that consumers were being switched to the single rate."

"The salesperson had a binder with him that had a transparent plastic cover. Under the cover, there was what appeared to be a Hydro Ottawa bill. The bill appeared to have been modified: instead of three price periods for the time of use pricing, the consumer saw a reference to 'Group distribution,'" the Board alleged.

The Board alleged that, "The Just Energy salesperson failed to 'immediately and truthfully give the name of the salesperson and the retailer to the customer,'" in contravention of the Code of Conduct.

"By stating that he was from the 'hydro company', the Just Energy salesperson made a representation that was likely to mislead the consumer," the Board alleged.

Just Energy may request, within fifteen days, that the Board hold a hearing on these matters

Docket EB-2013-0392