Liberal energy critic Richard Brown is calling again for the government to provide rebates on electricity costs for low-income Islanders.

'For a lot of families and residents in my district, it is a lot of money.'— Liberal MLA Richard Brown

Brown is upset that despite assurances from the government that power rates would not be seeing big increases, Maritime Electric announced a seven per cent hike for residential customers on Wednesday.

"Last year in the legislature, the comments were basically, 'No, rates won't be going up.' And now we see them heading up," said Brown.

A new energy supply contract with NB Power is the reason for the increase, Maritime Electric said.

The utility said higher world energy costs led to higher rates that it will be paying to NB Power.

"You know, for a minister or for the premier, $7 may not be a lot of money a month," said Brown. "But for a lot of families and residents in my district, it is a lot of money.

"And that's why I'll be asking IRAC to hold public hearings on this matter.… The indication today is that they don't have to, and that greatly disturbs me."

'I mean you need to heat your house; you need to have lights.'— Irene Larkin, P.E.I. Senior Citizens Federation

Brown said the phones of the Opposition office have been ringing off the hook since Wednesday's announcement. He said the provincial government must step in to help Islanders and businesses deal with rising costs for electricity and fuel.

Seniors federation urges members to complain

The P.E.I. Senior Citizens Federation is complaining that its members are particularly at risk.

"As one put it, they're being nickeled and dimed to death with these kinds of rates. It's quite alarming. I mean you need to heat your house; you need to have lights. What can you do?" said executive director Irene Larkin.

"For some it might mean less groceries, for some it might mean they won't get their medication filled. I think it's a general feeling of unwellness to know that you can't make your bill payments at the end of every month."

Larkin said members who are upset about the increase should voice their concerns to Island MLAs.

The electricity increases begin in April.