Manitoba government may push back promise to freeze hydroelectric rates

WINNIPEG — Manitoba’s new NDP government may push back a promise to freeze hydroelectric rates for one year.

New numbers from Crown-owned Manitoba Hydro show the utility is now expecting a net loss this year instead of the profit it predicted in the spring

The utility blames, in part, dry summer conditions and lower levels of power-generating water.

Finance Minister Adrien Sala says the government still intends to temporarily freeze hydroelectric rates, but it may happen later than promised during the election campaign.