Manitoba's Opposition Progressive Conservatives are calling for the Public Utilities Board to deny a rate hike request from Manitoba Hydro.

The Crown corporation is scheduled to appear before the public utilities board on Tuesday, seeking an interim electricity rate increase of six per cent over the next two years. It wants the rate increase to take effect in April.

The increase would add a little more than 50 cents a month to the average homeowner's bill.

But Progressive Conservative leader Hugh McFadyen said neither the government nor Hydro has established that an increase is necessary.

"What we're encouraging the PUB to do is [say] no to the interim increase … until such time that hydro has established the justification for it which, frankly, we're skeptical they'll be able to in the current circumstances," he said, referring to a recent whistleblower's complaint against Hydro.

The whistleblower, an outside consultant who had worked for Hydro for several years, alleges the Crown corporation is miscalculating how much power it can generate and sell, and the province could face significant blackouts in the future.

"What we need today more than ever before is accountability and answers. Greg Selinger and Manitoba Hydro should be prepared to provide these answers before Hydro moves forward with any kind of increase,” said McFadyen.

"Hydro rates have gone up 16 per cent in recent years and now the NDP wants Manitobans to hand over more of their hard-earned money. Manitobans deserve answers before they are asked to pay even more.”