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This is an official version. Copyright © 2000: Queen's Printer, Important Information
Statutes of Newfoundland 1994 CHAPTER E-5.1 AN ACT TO REGULATE THE ELECTRICAL POWER RESOURCES OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR (Assented to June 9, 1994) Analysis 1. Short title 2. Definitions PART I 3. Power policy 4. Implementing policy 5. General reference by government PART II 6. Planning of future power supply 7. Inquiry by board where shortage anticipated 8. Board to allocate power 9. Compensation for power 10. No liability for compliance with order 11. Licence for fixed term contracts 12. Considerations 13. Revocation of licence 14. Application of Part II PART III 15. Application of Part III 16. Emergency controller to control power in an emergency 17. Authority of emergency comptroller 18. Orders of emergency controller to be obeyed 19. No liability for compliance with order 20. Compensation for power 21. Emergency controller unable to act 22. Essential employees PART IV 23. Corporate ownership and control 24. Restrictions on business 25. Enforcement PART V 26. Change of frequency PART VI 27. Powers of board 28. Costs 29. Powers of the minister to make certain payments 30. Powers under Public Utilities Act 31. Appeal 32. Regulations 33. Offences and penalties 34. Resolving statutory conflict 35. RSN1990 cE-5 Rep. 36. Commencement Be it enacted by the Lieutenant-Governor and House of Assembly in Legislative Session convened, as follows: Short title 1. This Act may be cited as the Electrical Power Control Act, 1994. Definitions 2. In this Act (a) "associate", when used to indicate a relationship between 2 persons, means, (i) 1 has the power to direct or cause to be directed the management and policies of the other where the other is a corporation, (ii) 1 is a corporation that is controlled by the other or by a group of persons of which the other is a member, (iii) 1 is a corporation whose management and policies the other has the power to direct or to cause to be directed, (iv) another corporation whose management and policies are subject to a power to direct or to cause to be directed by 1 who also has the power to direct or cause to be directed the management and policies of the other where the other is a corporation, (v) 1 is a partner of the other acting by or for the partnership of which they are both partners, (vi) 1 is a partnership of which the other is a partner, (vii) 1 is a trust or estate in which the other has a beneficial interest equal to or in excess of 20% or as to which the other serves as trustee or in a similar capacity, (viii) 1 is a person to whom the other is married and with whom the other resides or with whom the other is living in a conjugal relationship outside marriage, (ix) 1 is a son or daughter of the other, (x) 1 is a relative of the other or of a person mentioned in subparagraph (viii), other than a person described in subparagraphs (viii) and (ix), who has the same home as the other, (xi) 1 is a government and the other is an agent of that government, (xii) 1 is an agent of a government and the other is an agent of the same government; (xiii) 1 is a person who is obligated to act in concert with the other in exercising voting rights in respect of the shares of a retailer, (xiv) both are members of a voting trust that relates to voting shares, or (xv) both are at the same time associates within the meaning of subparagraphs (i) to (xiv) of the same person; (b) "bargaining agent" means an employee organization that is certified for the purpose of the Labour Relations Act or an employee organization which has been voluntarily recognized by the retailer and has not had its bargaining rights terminated; (c) "consumer" means a person purchasing power from a retailer for the use of that person and not for resale; (d) "control" means control in a manner that results in control in fact, whether directly through the ownership of securities or indirectly through a trust, an agreement or arrangement, the ownership of a corporation or otherwise and (i) a corporation is considered to be controlled by a person where (A) securities of the corporation to which are attached more than 50% of the votes that may be cast ordinarily to elect directors of the corporation are held, otherwise than by way of security only, by or for the benefit of that person, and (B) the votes attached to those securities are sufficient, if exercised, to elect a majority of the directors of the corporation, and (ii) a partnership, trust or unincorporated organization is considered to be controlled by a person if an ownership interest therein representing more than 50% of the assets of the partnership, trust or organization is held, otherwise than by way of security only, by or for the benefit of that person; (e) "emergency controller" means that person appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council to exercise the powers under Part III; (f) "employed capital" means the amount of capital invested in property and assets which are used and useful in the production, transmission and distribution of power other than property or assets rendered unusable or surplus by reason of an order made under subsection 8(2); (g) "essential employee" means 1 of a number of employees whose duties consist in whole or in part of duties the performance of which at a particular time or during a specified period of time is or may be necessary for the health, safety or security of the public; (h) "industrial customer" means any person purchasing power, other than a retailer, supplied from the bulk transmission grid at voltages of 66 KV or greater on the primary side of any transformation equipment directly supplying the person; (i) "lockout" means "lockout" as defined in the Labour Relations Act; (j) "minister" means the Minister of Mines and Energy or another minister of the Crown that the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may by order designate for the administration of this Act; (k) "person" includes an individual, partnership, corporation, government or agency of a government, unincorporated organization, trustee, administrator and other legal representatives; (l) "parent corporation" means a corporation which controls a retailer; (m) "power" includes electrical power, however generated, and electrical energy; (n) "producer" means a person who produces or has the capacity to produce power in the province; (o) "public utilities board" means the Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities; (p) "rates" includes prices, charges, tolls or conditions applying to prices for power or other consideration given for the supplying of power; (q) "retailer" means a public utility within the meaning of the Public Utilities Act, other than a public utility exempt from the application of that Act, which buys or generates power and whose primary business is the sale or resale of power to arm's length customers; (r) "strike" means "strike" as defined in the Labour Relations Act; and (s) "voting share" means a share carrying a voting right under all circumstances. PART I Power policy 3. It is declared to be the policy of the province that (a) the rates to be charged, either generally or under specific contracts, for the supply of power within the province (i) should be reasonable and not unjustly discriminatory, (ii) should be established, wherever practicable, based on forecast costs for that supply of power for 1 or more years, (iii) should provide sufficient revenue to the producer or retailer of the power to enable it to earn a just and reasonable return as construed under the Public Utilities Act so that it is able to achieve and maintain a sound credit rating in the financial markets of the world, and (iv) should be such that after December 31, 1999 industrial customers shall not be required to subsidize the cost of power provided to rural customers in the province, and those subsidies being paid by industrial customers on the date this Act comes into force shall be gradually reduced during the period prior to December 31, 1999; (b) all sources and facilities for the production, transmission and distribution of power in the province should be managed and operated in a manner (i) that would result in the most efficient production, transmission and distribution of power, (ii) that would result in consumers in the province having equitable access to an adequate supply of power, (iii) that would result in power being delivered to consumers in the province at the lowest possible cost consistent with reliable service, (iv) that would result in, subject to Part III, a person having priority to use, other than for resale, the power it produces, or the power produced by a producer which is its wholly-owned subsidiary, (v) where the objectives set out in subparagraphs (i) to (iv) can be achieved through alternative sources of power, with the least possible interference with existing contracts, and, where necessary, all power, sources and facilities of the province are to be assessed and allocated and re-allocated in the manner that is necessary to give effect to this policy; (c) in the event of an emergency arising from the loss of use of generating facilities, a shortage of water or a loss of transmission or distribution facilities which results in there being insufficient power to meet the needs of consumers in the province, or a part of the province, the emergency controller should have the responsibility and authority to (i) determine priorities, (ii) allocate and re-allocate available power, and (iii) make all other necessary provisions for the supply and distribution of power for so long as the emergency continues; (d) the public utilities board shall have the right to determine if, and the extent to which, employees of retailers are essential employees; (e) all amounts rebated to the province under the Public Utilities Income Tax Transfer Act (Canada) in respect of retailers shall be paid by the province to those retailers in amounts that, as between such retailers, are proportionate to their respective portions of the total power produced by all such retailers; and (f) planning for future power supply of the province shall not include nuclear power. Implementing Policy 4. In carrying out its duties and exercising its powers under this Act or under the Public Utilities Act, the public utilities board shall implement the power policy declared in section 3, and in doing so shall apply tests which are consistent with generally accepted sound public utility practice. General reference by government 5. (1) The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may refer to the public utilities board (a) existing or proposed rates or a class of rates applicable between producers, retailers and customers; (b) matters affecting or related to rates charged by producers to retailers and customers; (c) the principles used by or appropriate for use by producers in determining rates for the supply of power to retailers and customers; or (d) another matter relating to power, and the public utilities board shall hold a public hearing at which it shall investigate and examine the matters referred to it and report on the matters to the minister within the time specified by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council in the reference. (2) A reference under this section may be general or particular in terms and may specify criteria, factors and procedures to guide the public utilities board in making its investigation, examination and report. PART II Planning of future power supply 6. (1) The public utilities board has the authority and the responsibility to ensure that adequate planning occurs for the future production, transmission and distribution of power in the province. (2) The public utilities board may direct a producer or retailer to perform such activities and provide such information as it considers necessary for such planning to the public utilities board or to any other producer or retailer on such terms and conditions as it may prescribe. (3) For the purpose of this section, the public utilities board may adopt those rules and procedures that it considers necessary or advisable to give effect to the subsection. Inquiry by board where shortage anticipated 7. (1) Where a producer or a retailer believes that it may not be able to supply power sufficient to satisfy the current or anticipated power demands of its customers and prospective customers in accordance with the power policy set out in section 3, it may request the public utilities board to conduct an inquiry into the matter. (2) The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may request the public utilities board to conduct an inquiry into the matter of the adequacy of supply and the ability of producers and retailers to meet the current or anticipated power demands of consumers in the province, in accordance with the power policy set out in section 3, and to report on the matter to the Lieutenant-Governor in Council within the time specified by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council in the reference. (3) Where the public utilities board believes that producers and retailers collectively or individually will not be able to satisfy, in accordance with the power policy set out in section 3, the current or anticipated power demands of consumers in the province, the public utilities board may further inquire into the matter. Board to allocate power 8. (1) Where a matter is referred to the public utilities board under subsection 7(1) or (2) or the public utilities board decides to conduct an inquiry under subsection 7(3), the public utilities board shall, immediately, by public advertisement, give at least 20 days' notice of and hold a public hearing at which it shall investigate and examine into the matter. (2) Where, after the conduct of an inquiry, the public utilities board is satisfied that a producer or a retailer is not or will not be able under the existing supply and allocation contracts or arrangements to satisfy the current or anticipated demands of its customers for power in the manner required by this Act, the public utilities board may, subject to subsection 11(3), allocate and re-allocate any or all power produced in the province and may order another producer or retailer to supply, upon those terms and conditions respecting rates, timing, duration and amounts that the public utilities board determines, to the producer or retailer which would otherwise be unable to satisfy such demands power that the public utilities board considers to be necessary to implement the power policy set out in paragraph 3(b). (3) The public utilities board may, in an order made under subsection (2), require a producer or retailer to make its transmission and distribution plant, equipment and facilities available for the transmission and distribution of the power allocated or re-allocated under the order, on those terms and conditions respecting rates, timing, duration and amounts that the public utilities board determines. (4) Upon the application of a retailer, the public utilities board may make an order requiring a retailer to make its transmission and distribution plant, equipment and facilities available for the transmission and distribution of power on those terms and conditions respecting rates, timing, duration and amounts that the public utilities board determines. (5) A producer or retailer directed by an order made under subsection (2) to deliver power to another producer or retailer shall, within the limits of its capacity, deliver power to the other producer or retailer on the terms and conditions set out in the order notwithstanding that the producer or retailer may as a result have to reduce the amount, or cease the delivery altogether, of power then being supplied to another customer or the amount of power then being consumed for its own use. Compensation for power 9. (1) The rates to be paid by a producer or a retailer supplied with power under an order made under subsection 8(2) for that power shall be set by the public utilities board and shall be the total of (a) the amount of the cost of producing the power as determined by the public utilities board; (b) a reasonable allowance for employed capital as determined by the public utilities board; and (c) the amount sufficient to amortize over a period approved by the public utilities board the unamortized cost of any and all transmission and distribution plant and other power-related equipment and facilities of a producer and its customers rendered unusable or surplus by reason of the order of the public utilities board for so long as that plant, equipment and facilities remain unusable or surplus due to the continuation in effect of the order or a substitute order of the public utilities board. (2) A producer receiving a payment for power under an order made under subsection 8(2) which includes an amount in respect of the unamortized cost of transmission and distribution plant and other power-related equipment and facilities of its customer rendered unusable or surplus by reason of that order shall, immediately upon receipt of the payment, remit that amount to that customer. (3) Where an order of the public utilities board made under subsection 8(2) requiring a producer or retailer to supply power is likely to affect the interest of a holder of security given by the producer or retailer, or by its customers in connection with the obligations of the producer or retailer, in respect of the former sale of the power to be re-allocated, the public utilities board may (a) on the request of the producer or retailer, its customer or a security holder, make it a condition of the order that the security holder be given security by the producer or retailer or the customer receiving the re-allocated power, or both, to the extent and in the manner that the public utilities board determines to be substantially the same as the security then in effect; and (b) on the request of the customer who has ceased to receive the re-allocated supply, make it a condition of the order that the customer receiving the re-allocated supply give to such customer an indemnity, to the extent that the public utilities board determines to be appropriate in the circumstances, from liability under any guarantee or other covenant given by such customer in relation to an obligation to purchase the power directed to be re-allocated. No liability for compliance with order 10. (1) Where a producer or retailer is unable to supply power under a contract or obligation because of compliance with an order of the public utilities board made under subsection 8(2), that producer or retailer shall be relieved from all liability for failure to supply that power by reason of the inability for so long as that inability continues. (2) No failure to supply power in compliance with, and nothing done by a producer or retailer under, an order of the public utilities board made under this Part shall be considered a breach of contract or entitle a person to rescind a contract or release a guarantor from the performance of the obligation or render any of them or another person liable in an action or other legal proceedings for damages notwithstanding another law to the contrary. Licence for fixed term contracts 11. (1) Every producer or retailer in the province may apply to the public utilities board for a licence to sell and distribute power under a contract for a term of 10 years or more for the purpose referred to in subsection (2). (2) The public utilities board may, on those terms and conditions that it may impose, issue a licence for a contract for a term of 10 years or more where (a) the Lieutenant-Governor in Council has certified that a term of 10 years or more is necessary to facilitate the establishment of an industrial enterprise; or (b) the public utilities board is satisfied that a term of 10 years or more is necessary in order to raise and secure the funds necessary to construct facilities to generate or transmit the power that is the subject of the contract, and the actual term authorized is the minimum term reasonable in the circumstances and the term shall not exceed 30 years. (3) Where the public utilities board issues a licence to a producer or retailer under this section, sections 8 to 10 shall not apply to power sold and distributed by the producer or retailer in respect of which the licence is issued. Considerations 12. On an application for a licence under section 11, the public utilities board shall have regard to all considerations that appear to it to be relevant and the public utilities board shall satisfy itself that the contract referred to in section 11 is just and reasonable in relation to the public interest and the power policy set out in section 3. Revocation of licence 13. (1) The public utilities board may, by order, revoke or suspend a licence issued under section 11 where a term or condition of the licence has not been complied with or has been contravened. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) and the regulations, an order shall not be made under subsection (1) unless the public utilities board has, in a notice sent to the holder of the licence, advised the holder of the term or condition of the licence that it is alleged has not been complied with or has been contravened and the board has afforded the holder of the licence a reasonable opportunity to be heard and to correct and justify to the satisfaction of the public utilities board the holder's failure to comply or its contravention. (3) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), the public utilities board may, by order, revoke or suspend a licence on the application or with the consent of the holder of the licence. Application of Part II 14. This Part applies to all contracts for power generated in the province whether the contracts for the power were entered into by producers or retailers before or after the coming into force of this Act. PART III Application of Part III 15. This Part applies to all power generated in the province including power sold and distributed under a contract with a term of 10 years or more in respect of which a licence has been issued by the public utilities board under Part II. Emergency controller to control power in an emergency 16. (1) Where the Lieutenant-Governor in Council is of the opinion that a state of emergency exists or has existed by reason of actual or apprehended damage to, destruction, failure, or breakdown of, works, plant or equipment or distribution facilities used in the generation or transmission of power, shortage of water or sudden or unexpected power demand in excess of power resources, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may, by order, declare that a state of emergency exists or has existed. (2) Notwithstanding this Act or a general or special Act or a contract entered into or assumed by a person, where the Lieutenant-Governor in Council orders a state of emergency under subsection (1) and during the continuance of that state of emergency and until the Lieutenant-Governor in Council by order declares the cessation of the state of emergency, the emergency controller shall (a) establish preferences and priorities between different users or classes of users; (b) allocate and re-allocate power and, if necessary, interrupt or decrease delivery of power under a contract; (c) regulate, and if necessary, restrict and prohibit the generation, transformation, transmission, distribution, supply and use of power; and (d) do, or order or direct to be done, any other thing the emergency controller considers necessary for the proper generation, transmission, distribution, supply and use of power in the circumstance. (3) An order made by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council under this section is not subordinate legislation for the purpose of the Statutes and Subordinate Legislation Act. (4) An order made by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council under this section shall come into force as soon as it is made. (5) The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may appoint a person to be the emergency controller for the purpose of this Act. Authority of emergency controller 17. (1) During the state of emergency, in addition to a general authority under section 16, the emergency controller may (a) modify, restrict, rescind, suspend, or re-impose an order, regulation, restriction, prohibition or control, given, made or exercised under section 16; (b) order the cessation, interruption, or decrease in delivery of power, in a manner and to an extent that the emergency controller sees fit, to a person who fails to comply with an order, regulation, restriction, prohibition or control given, made or exercised by the emergency controller under this Part and may enforce the order by all reasonable means as the emergency controller may consider proper and for that purpose may enter, or authorize the entering upon, the land of a person and do, or authorize to be done, whatever is necessary for that purpose; and (c) order producers and retailers to cease, interrupt, or decrease the delivery of power in a manner, to an extent and by those means that the emergency controller sees fit, to any of its or their customers who fail to comply with an order, regulation, restriction, prohibition, or control given, made or exercised by the emergency controller under this Part and for that purpose the emergency controller, a producer or retailer may enter, or authorize the entering upon, land of a customer and do, or authorize to be done, whatever is necessary for that purpose. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) and paragraph 16(2)(a), wherever it is reasonable and practical, taking into account in particular public health, safety and security, consumption by a producer of the power it produces shall be the last, and power being delivered under a contract in respect of which a licence has been issued under section 11 shall be the second last, interrupted by the emergency controller pursuant to this Part. Orders of emergency controller to be obeyed 18. Upon the declaration of an emergency under this Part, every producer and retailer and any other customer or consumer shall immediately comply with all instructions respecting the generation, transmission, distribution, supply and use of power under its or their control, that may be given by the emergency controller under the authority conferred upon the emergency controller under this Part. No liability for compliance with order 19. Nothing lawfully done under this Part or under an order, regulation, restriction, prohibition, or control made or exercised by the emergency controller under this Part, or done to enforce or give effect to anything lawfully done by the emergency controller, a producer or retailer, its or their servants, agents or a person acting under its or their authority, shall be considered to be a breach of contract or entitle a person to rescind a contract or release a guarantor from the performance of his or her obligations or render that corporation or person liable in an action at law or other legal proceedings for damages. Compensation for power 20. (1) A producer or retailer required to supply or deliver power otherwise than in accordance with a contract or existing obligation shall be compensated by the party receiving the power for the power delivered at a rate that shall be the higher of the compensation that the producer or retailer would have received had the power not been diverted by order of the emergency controller and the compensation that the consumer to whom the power was delivered would have paid but for the emergency. (2) Where the compensation paid under subsection (1) is higher than the amount that the producer or retailer would have received had the power not been diverted, the compensation received by the producer or retailer which is in excess of the amount that would have been received but for the emergency shall be paid to the party from whom the power was originally diverted. (3) In the event of failure to agree upon the compensation to be paid under this section, the public utilities board shall, at the request of a party affected, determine the amount of the compensation. Emergency controller unable to act 21. In this Part, where the emergency controller is absent or is unable to act, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may appoint a person to act in his or her absence and that person shall have the duties and powers of the emergency controller under this Part. Essential employees 22. (1) A retailer and a bargaining agent may jointly establish and file with the public utilities board a written statement of the number of employees in each classification in the unit represented by the bargaining agent who are considered to be essential employees which, upon receipt by the public utilities board, shall be binding upon the retailer, the bargaining agent and the employees as an order of the public utilities board. (2) If the retailer and the bargaining agent do not jointly file a written statement with the public utilities board under subsection (1), either the retailer or the bargaining agent may make an application to the public utilities board to determine the number of essential employees in each classification and the public utilities board shall make such an order. (3) Within 15 days of the making of an application under subsection (2), the retailer shall provide the bargaining agent and the public utilities board with a written statement of the number of essential employees in each classification who are considered by the retailer to be essential employees. (4) The number of employees determined to be essential under subsection (2) shall not exceed the number contained in the written statement provided by the retailer under subsection (3). (5) The public utilities board may, in its discretion, make an interim order under this section based upon such information as it considers necessary and with or without a hearing or notice, which order shall be effective until the public utilities board makes a final order. (6) A copy of any application made to the public utilities board by a retailer or by a bargaining agent under this section shall be provided to the other party by the applicant not later than 2 days after the application is received by the public utilities board. (7) Where a hearing is requested by either the retailer or the bargaining agent arising from an application made under subsection (2) or arising from an interim order made under this section, the public utilities board shall hold a hearing into the matter which hearing shall take place not earlier than 15 days after the application was received by it. (8) The public utilities board may, at any time, amend an order of joint settlement made under subsection (1) or a determination made under subsection (2), and the provisions of subsections (2) and (7) relating to representation, hearing and interim orders shall apply for an amendment as they apply for a determination. (9) The number of essential employees determined in an amendment to an order of joint settlement shall not exceed the number contained in the order of joint settlement made under subsection (1) or the number contained in the written statement provided by the retailer under subsection (2) unless the retailer and the bargaining agent consent to a greater number. (10) A determination or amendment made under this section shall be communicated in writing by the public utilities board to the bargaining agent and the retailer not later than 10 days after the determination or amendment is made. (11) The retailer shall within 10 days of filing a written statement under subsection (1) or receiving from the public utilities board a determination or an amendment under subsection (2) or (8) name the employees in the unit who are essential, but the number of employees named shall not exceed the number considered to be essential as jointly agreed upon under subsection (1) or determined by the public utilities board to be essential under subsection (2) or (8). (12) The retailer may substitute the name of an employee who is essential for the name of another employee who is essential but the number of employees named shall not exceed the number considered to be essential as jointly agreed upon under subsection (1) or determined by the public utilities board to be essential under subsection (2) or (8). (13) The retailer shall notify in writing the bargaining agent and each employee in the bargaining unit named by the retailer as an essential employee that he or she has been named as an essential employee. (14) An employee named as an essential employee shall report for work as if a strike or lockout were not taking place. (15) Where an employee named as an essential employee does not report for work as required under subsection (14), the retailer shall immediately terminate the employment of that employee, unless the retailer is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for the employee not so reporting. PART IV Corporate ownership and control 23. (1) Subject to subsection (3), no person, without first obtaining leave of the public utilities board, shall (a) acquire, hold or beneficially own such number of any class of voting shares of a retailer that, together with shares, if any, already directly or indirectly held or beneficially owned by such person and the associates of such person, have in the aggregate attached to them more than 20% of the votes attached to all outstanding voting shares of the retailer; (b) acquire, together with the associates of the person, control of any person who, together with the associates of such person, holds directly or indirectly, more than 20% of the voting shares of any retailer; or (c) acquire, hold or beneficially own such number of any class of voting shares of any corporation that, together with shares already directly or indirectly held or beneficially owned by such person and the associates of such person, have in the aggregate attached to them more than 20% of the votes attaching to all outstanding voting shares of such corporation, where that corporation has control, directly or indirectly, of any retailer; or (d) acquire, hold or beneficially own an ownership interest in a partnership, trust or unincorporated organization that, together with ownership interests, if any, already directly or indirectly held or beneficially owned by such person and the associates of such person, in the aggregate represent more than 20% of the assets of such partnership, trust or organization, where that partnership, trust or organization has control, directly or indirectly, of any retailer. (2) Where a corporation existing under the laws of the province holds more than 85% of the voting shares of a retailer on April 1, 1994, paragraph (1)(a) shall not apply to that holding. (3) For the purpose of subsection (1), if 2 or more persons who are not associates hold the same voting shares, each of those persons is deemed to be the holder of all those voting shares. (4) This section shall not apply to (a) a mortgage, charge or other security interest to secure any loan or indebtedness or other obligation; (b) a transaction or series of transactions the effect of which is that all of the holders of voting shares of the retailer exchange on a pro rata basis their voting shares of the retailer for voting shares in a corporation existing under the laws of the province that, upon completion of the transaction or transactions, holds all of the outstanding voting shares of the retailer; (c) voting shares acquired, held or beneficially owned by the Crown; (d) voting shares acquired, held or beneficially owned by 1 or more persons acting as underwriters; (e) voting shares held by any person who provides centralized facilities for the clearing of trades in securities and is acting in relation to trades in the shares solely as an intermediary in the payment of funds or the delivery of securities, or both; or (f) voting shares held by a nominee or bare trustee which, in either case, does not have any beneficial interest in or discretionary powers of voting over such shares. (5) An application for leave under this section shall be made to the public utilities board, which may hold a public hearing to decide whether the proposed acquisition, holding or beneficial ownership is not in the public interest and may prescribe such terms and conditions in respect of the proposed acquisition, holding or beneficial ownership as it may determine and, if the public utilities board decides that the proposed acquisition, holding or beneficial ownership is not in the public interest, the public utilities board shall disallow the proposed acquisition, holding or beneficial ownership and otherwise the public utilities board shall allow the proposed acquisition, holding or beneficial ownership on such prescribed terms and conditions, if any. (6) Immediately on the making of a decision under this section, the public utilities board shall, in writing, inform (a) every person whose proposed acquisition, holdings or beneficial ownership are affected by the decision; (b) every person who participated in the public hearing; and (c) the minister, of the decision of the public utilities board and, subject to subsection (6), the decision is binding on all persons affected thereby. (7) Within 30 days after a decision of the public utilities board under this section, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may review the decision and allow or disallow the proposed acquisition, holding or beneficial ownership and the decision by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council is binding on all persons affected by it. (8) A retailer and a parent corporation shall exist under and be governed by the Corporations Act or another statute of the province, unless the public utilities board approves otherwise. Restrictions on business 24. (1) Subject to this Act, a retailer shall not engage or invest in or carry on any business or activity other than the business of the production, transmission, distribution or retailing of power and the business or activity that is generally related to it. (2) For greater certainty, subsection (1) shall not apply to a person who controls a retailer, including a corporation referred to in paragraph 23(3)(b). Enforcement 25. (1) The public utilities board may require a retailer to provide to it such information in such manner as it may prescribe relevant to the ownership of the retailer. (2) Where the public utilities board is of the opinion that a person has contravened subsection 23(1), the public utilities board shall send a demand to the person in accordance with this section. (3) A demand referred to in subsection (2) shall require that the person to whom it is sent, immediately or within such period of time as may be specified in it, comply with this Part and, in the case of a shareholder in a retailer whose shareholding has caused such demand, divest itself of voting shares of the retailer and in the case of a shareholder of a parent corporation whose shareholding has caused such demand, divest itself of voting shares of the parent corporation or otherwise cause compliance with this Part or show cause why there has been no contravention of this Part. (4) Where a person has acquired, holds or beneficially owns voting shares or other ownership interests in contravention of this Part, the public utilities board may, subject to such terms and conditions as it considers appropriate, require the retailer or the parent corporation, by demand sent to it by the public utilities board, not to permit the exercise of any voting rights attached to such shares or other ownership interests. (5) Every demand made under this section shall indicate the nature of the proceedings that may be taken under this section in the event that the person or retailer fails to comply with the demand. (6) Where the public utilities board is of the opinion that a person or retailer has failed to comply with a demand made pursuant to this section, an application on behalf of the public utilities board may be made to the Trial Division for an order under this section to enforce the demand. (7) Where, at the conclusion of the hearing of the application under subsection (6), the court finds that the person or retailer has failed to comply with a demand pursuant to this section, the court may make such order or orders to enforce the demand as the court considers necessary in the circumstances. (8) Without limiting the generality of subsection (7), where a person fails to comply with a demand made under this section, the court may, by order, vest the interest or increased interest to which the demand relates in a trustee named by the court and, in that case, the trustee has all the rights, title and interests in respect of the interest or increased interest in accordance with such directions that the court may issue and, notwithstanding any other Act or law, the trustee may do all those things and execute those documents that are necessary to carry out the disposition in accordance with the directions in the same manner and to the same extent as if the trustee were the owner. (9) All proceeds from a disposition by a trustee under subsection (8) shall be first applied to the payment of the fees and expenses of the trustee in acting as such and thereafter, subject to the terms of the order, any balance remaining shall be paid to the person or persons who would, but for the vesting order, have been entitled to receive the proceeds. PART V Change of frequency 26. With the approval of the public utilities board, a retailer may (a) change the periodicity in alternations of current at which it supplies power to a customer; (b) for the purpose of standardizing and making uniform the periodicity in alternations of current at which it supplies power, alter, reconstruct, rebuild, reassemble, construct, extend or replace its works or do whatever else may be necessary in respect of them, and, with their consent, the works of other persons who are supplying or purchasing or otherwise delivering or accepting delivery of power to or from it, wherever the works may be located in the province; (c) for the purpose of standardizing and making uniform the periodicity in alternations of current at which power generated or procured by it is utilized and, with the consent of the owner, alter, reconstruct, rebuild, reassemble, construct, extend, replace or do whatever else may be necessary in respect of the equipment, apparatus, appliances, devices and works of a person by which the power is taken and used or authorize the owner to do so; and (d) charge to and collect from the owners of equipment, apparatus, appliances, devices or works, the expense of anything done by a retailer to or in respect of the equipment, apparatus, appliances, devices or works under this section on those terms and conditions that the public utilities board may approve including, without limitation, terms limiting the retailer's liability. PART VI Powers of board 27. (1) The public utilities board may (a) give directions as to the nature and extent of interventions by persons interested in a matter that is to be the subject of a reference or inquiry held under this Act; (b) set aside for future examination an issue that in its opinion requires a more prolonged examination; and (c) make interim reports pending its final report with respect to the subject matter of a reference or inquiry. (2) The public utilities board may appoint for classes of users of power in the province that, in the opinion of the public utilities board, have common interests, persons to represent those classes at a reference or inquiry under this Act where it appears to that board that the appointment should be made so that a particular class of user of power can be heard. (3) Notwithstanding an appointment under subsection (2), a member of a class in respect of which the appointment was made may be heard on his or her own behalf. Costs 28. (1) The costs of and incidental to a reference or inquiry under this Act to the public utilities board shall be in the discretion of that board and may be fixed at a sum certain, or may be taxed and the board may order by whom the costs are to be taxed and to whom the costs are to be allowed and the public utilities board may prescribe a scale under which costs are to be taxed. (2) All expenses of the public utilities board in connection with a reference or inquiry under this Act to the public utilities board, including costs of counsel, engineers, valuators, stenographers, accountants and other assistants employed by that board as well as the salaries and expenses of the members of that board while employed in and about the reference or inquiry shall, when the public utilities board orders, be paid by the parties concerned in the reference or inquiry. (3) Where an order for payment of expenses under subsection (2) is made against 2 or more parties, the expenses shall be apportioned between or among them in the proportion that seems equitable to the public utilities board in all the circumstances of the case. Powers of the minister to make certain payments 29. (1) The minister may pay amounts to retailers as contemplated in paragraph 3(e) out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund and such amounts are a charge upon and payable, without further authority of the Legislature, out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. (2) If, pursuant to the Public Utilities Income Tax Transfer Act (Canada), the province is required to repay any amount to the Government of Canada, the minister may pay such amount out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund and such amount is a charge upon and payable, without further authority of the Legislature, out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. Powers under Public Utilities Act 30. (1) In carrying out its duties under this Act, the public utilities board has and may exercise all the powers given to it under the Public Utilities Act. (2) In carrying out its duties under this Act, the public utilities board has all the powers that are or may be conferred on commissioners appointed under the Public Inquiries Act. Appeal 31. Sections 99 to 102 of the Public Utilities Act apply, with the necessary changes, in respect of a reference or inquiry to the public utilities board under this Act. Regulations 32. (1) The public utilities board may, subject to the approval of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, make regulations respecting the information to be furnished by applicants for licences under section 11 and the procedure to be followed in applying for licences and in issuing licences. (2) The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may make regulations (a) defining an expression or term used in this Act and not defined in this Act, including for purposes of section 24, production, transmission, distribution or retailing of power or such business or activity as is generally related thereto; (b) prohibiting or limiting transactions between a producer or retailer and any person holding shares or other ownership interests in excess of the limitations provided for by subsection 23(1); (c) prescribing the basis on which payments as contemplated in paragraph 3(e) to retailers are to be calculated and administered and the terms and conditions on which such payments are to be made; (d) directing the emergency controller to establish certain preferences and priorities pursuant to paragraph 16(2)(a); and (e) respecting any matter that in the opinion of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council is necessary or advisable to carry out effectively the intent and purpose of this Act. Offences and penalties 33. (1) Every person who refuses or neglects to comply with an order, regulation, restriction, prohibition or control, made or exercised by the emergency controller under Part III is guilty of an offence and, in addition to any other penalty, is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of not more than $500,000 for each day upon which the refusal or neglect is repeated or continued. (2) Every person who fails to comply with an order of the public utilities board made under this Act is guilty of an offence and is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding $100,000 per day for each day that the offence continues. Resolving statutory conflict 34. (1) An Act or contract, whether enacted before or after the commencement of this Act relating to a producer or retailer shall be read and construed subject in all respects to this Act, which in a case of conflict shall, notwithstanding a provision to the contrary contained in another Act or contract, prevail over a general or special Act enacted or a contract entered into prior to the commencement of this Act. (2) A contract referred to in subsection (1) includes a contract authorized by or entered into under an Act. RSN1990 cE-5 Rep. 35. The Electrical Power Control Act is repealed. Commencement 36. This Act or a Part or section comes into force on a day to be proclaimed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council. ©Earl G. Tucker, Queen's Printer |