Young mother powerless

Photo: FortisBC

A young single mother who shares an apartment with her baby daughter fears her electricity will be cut off by FortisBC because she is under 19 years old.

Michelle Nowak says a FortisBC representative told her 18-year-old daughter that if she isn't able to find a guardian 19 years of age or older to co-sign on her account by the end of April, she could face disconnection.

"What they did with her was unfair. She needs the service," says Nowak.

Nowak says no one is currently in a position to co-sign for her daughter, Leela Hafezi.

"She's hooped," says Nowak. 

Nowak says Hafezi had no trouble initially opening an account at her Kelowna apartment – even though she told the company her age. She's paid her bills on time and in full for several months.

Hafezi called FortisBC to switch her service because she's moving from a one-bedroom apartment to a two-bedroom unit in the same building.

However, she was told that she was too young to have an account and was threatened with disconnection, says Nowak.

In a statement, FortisBC spokesman Michael Allison says FortisBC typically requires customers to be 19 or older to sign up for service.

"The reason for that is because 19 is the binding age of majority for signing contracts in B.C.," he said.

"For customers under the age of 19, we typically require a family friend, landlord or parent or guardian’s signature on the agreement. However, we do work with customers on a case by case basis to find a solution that works for them, and that’s what we’re doing in this situation."

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