One issue keeps coming up when talking to Prince Edward Island’s small business owners: electricity. Rates have gone up 22% over the past decade, with annual increases of 2.6–2.7% in recent years. In 2025 alone, a single outage left 20,000 customers in western PEI without power. It’s clear that small businesses need electricity they can count on, and costs they can plan for.
We’re stepping up to advocate for them. We’re calling for a “Small Business Intervener” at all IRAC hearings. This independent voice would make sure the needs of commercial customers are heard, prevent conflicts of interest, and keep small business interests front and center when decisions about rates are made.
We’re also calling on the government and Maritime Electric to provide rolling 10-year forecasts for electricity rates and infrastructure costs. Knowing what’s coming down the line helps small businesses budget, plan, and invest with confidence. Small businesses aren’t looking for handouts, instead they’re looking for fair pricing, predictable rate increases, and reliable service so they can grow, create jobs, and support their communities.
Add your voice to the call for fair electricity for PEI small businesses. Sign our petition today, and if you want to help strengthen this advocacy even further, become a CFIB member.
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