Hydro-Quebec is seeing an increase in paid bills, thanks largely to more Quebecers with outstanding balances signing up for long-term payment plans to reduce their debt.
Hydro-Quebec spokesperson Lynn St. Laurent says it's an improvement compared to recent years.
"We had just about 86 million dollars worth of unpaid bills," she said about 2016 residential debt. " We do foresee in our numbers for 2017 for the entire year we will be below that."
Hydro Quebec can't turn off electricity during the winter months because in Montreal's climate they risk the health and safety of families who are behind on their Hydro bills, but she says it appears that more people are using their long-term payment plans to chip away at existing debt.
"There are more people signing up to the payment plans, that's without a doubt," she said. "There potentially are more people paying their bills as well."
Including low-income rebates Hydro loses nearly $100 million dollars to residential clients that don't pay their bills.