Allan Robinson and his wife, Debbie, saved for a lifetime to build their new home.
they can't move in any time soon because they can't afford to pay Hydro One the $60,000 the utility wants to hook up the electricity.
The nearest hydro pole is about 440 metres west of their home.
Hydro One reported a $238-million profit in the second quarter of 2021, says the couple has to cover the expense to extend the line from the existing pole to their property, then sign over ownership of the line once they've paid for it.

Before they bought the vacant property 15 years ago, the utility told them the gap in the hydro line along County Road 1 would soon be connected to the existing lines.

$3.3 million was spent to upgrade the electrical grid in the area, including replacing poles and installing new lines. But that didn't fill in the gap in the hydro line.
They're saying this is a [hydro] grid extension. It's not. It's a line completion they failed to do.

They're waiting for homeowners to pay to fix this,

Now, Robinson and his wife say they'll be spending the winter living in a trailer, looking out at their new home steps away.

The Robinsons are also on the hook for clearing any trees or brush along the side of the municipal road and to repair any damage to the road that may occur during the line installation.

While the Robinsons are being asked to pay $60,000, the utility would contribute about $130. ...read more