Class-action lawsuit proposed against NS Power over data breach, billing issues

A law firm is proposing a class-action lawsuit against Nova Scotia Power.

A law firm has filed a proposed class action lawsuit against Nova Scotia Power, alleging customers were harmed by last year’s data breach and ongoing issues with estimated billing.

MacGillivray Law says the proposed lawsuit, filed last December with the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, would represent two groups of customers: those whose personal information was exposed in the data breach and those who say they were charged for electricity they did not use.

The firm says more than 13,000 people have contacted them with concerns.

Spokesperson John McGillis said customers have reported a range of issues, including increased spam calls, concerns about leaked financial information and power bills that do not align with historical usage, even for properties that were vacant.

“People are getting estimated bills that are way higher than anything they’ve used in similar months in past years,” McGillis said in an interview. “In some cases, people haven’t even been at the property they’re being billed for.”

McGillis said the firm is seeking financial compensation for affected customers, including those who may have overpaid due to estimated billing or whose personal information was compromised.

He added the lawsuit also aims to prompt broader regulatory change, arguing Nova Scotia Power’s role as a regulated monopoly places a higher responsibility on the utility to protect customer data and ensure accurate billing.

“This is an essential public utility,” McGillis said. “People can’t opt out of having electricity. They have to trust that their personal information is protected and that they’re only paying for what they actually use.”

Before the case can proceed, it has to be certified by the court as a class action, a process McGillis said is designed to determine whether a single lawsuit is the most efficient way to address claims that could affect a large number of people.

No court dates have been set, and the certification process could take months.

When CTV News Atlantic reached out to Nova Scotia Power, the utility said it has nothing to add.

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