VANCOUVER, B.C.: B.C. Hydro doubled its advertising spending this year, while raising rates on families, according to freedom-of-information records obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

“A Crown corporation shouldn’t be blowing millions advertising an essential utility that’s a monopoly,” said Carson Binda, B.C. Director for the CTF. “It definitely shouldn’t be spending millions more on ads while raising rates on families.”

B.C. Hydro is spending $8.2 million on advertising in 2026 compared to $3.9 million in 2025.

That’s a 108 per cent increase on advertising in just one year.

Meanwhile, B.C. Hydro hiked bills by 3.75 per cent on April 1 in each of the last two years. The average family pays $1,200 per year, according to B.C. government estimates.

B.C. Hydro has a monopoly on electricity services in the province, it provides electricity to 95 per cent of British Columbians.

The Crown corporation spent $28.8 million on advertising over the past five years in total, according to the records. Examples posted to its YouTube channel like Powering B.C.’s Potential are promotional videos that don’t deliver any practical safety or energy recommendations.

“Spending millions advertising the fact that British Columbians need electricity is a waste of money,” Binda said. “British Columbians already know we need the lights to turn on so B.C. Hydro should focus on keeping rates low instead of self-promotion.”