Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - December 19, 2007, Winnipeg, Manitoba City Winnipeg free press wednesday december 19, 2007 b5 natural Gas options change for Consumers Centra to compete with private brokers by Aldo Santin Consumers can expect to get More options when it comes to buying natural Gas after the Public utilities Board authorized Centra Gas to compete directly with private brokers. But consumer groups say they Don to know if that Means better deals for homeowners. In a 112-Page ruling released tuesday the pub said it has to been Happy with the competitive Market for natural Gas since the Industry was de regulated in 1998. The Board is not satisfied with the options and pricing of options now Avail Able to Consumers is a statement contained in the executive summary of tuesdays ruling. The ruling requires Centra Gas which is owned by Manitoba Hydro to offer homeowners fixed Price and term con any time tracts. Until now that there is Centra Gas could Only present pric additional ing on a quarterly Choice for basis that was subject to a pub Consumers is review and order a Good thing and determined in Large part on the Cost of buying that natural Gas from sup pliers in Alberta. However the new ruling from the pub will allow Centra Gas to offer homeowners a longer term Deal perhaps setting a rate for one year or two years. Any time that there is additional Choice for Consumers is a Good thing Lori Hunter executive director of the Manitoba society of seniors mos said. That May bring prices Down. Its not for the Moss and the Consumers association of Canada made presentations during hearings in october on the Issue along with Centra Gas and two private natural Gas brokers. Manitoba Hydro president Bob Bren Nan said he welcomed the ruling adding the Utility asked for the ability to sell natural Gas on Long term contracts. Right now the Price of natural Gas goes up and Down like a Yoyo Brennan said. Now Well be Able to offer a fixed Price contract for one to five years and depending on when you go in it could be a Good Deal or a bad Deal but everyone is expecting Gas prices to go Brennan said Manitoba Hydro wont face any financial risk with the new arrangements adding Hydro would arrange to buy natural Gas from suppliers at a fixed Price for an extended period of time and then Market the amount it bought. The ruling which was written by pub chairman Graham Lane said opening up the Manitoba Market to competing Bro kers and dealers in 1998 has to had the desired Impact on Consumers. Although Industrial commercial and other Large volume users of natural Gas have a Choice of Between several brokers that offer competing prices with Centra Gas Consumers and other Low volume users have a Choice Between Only two brokers and they Only offer Long term contracts of Between three and five years. The ruling says that by allowing Cen tra to offer Long term contracts this will prompt the two private brokers ? direct Energy marketing and Energy savings ? to offer terms Shorter than three and five years and lower their prices. Spokesmen for the private brokers could not be reached for comment. The ruling also will allow the private brokers to broaden their sales approaches to include internet Telephone and direct mail marketing in addition to door to door. correction notice to our valued customers on Page 7 of the source by circuit City december b flyer with an offers end Date of december 24, 2007 the a link High Speed wireless car bus adapter ski 2513227 is shown with incorrect Sale and regular prices. It should have a Sale Price of $49.99 and a regular Price of $64.99. The source by circuit City apologizes for any convenience this May have caused. Guards miffed at pension squabble nip accused of using stall tactic Mary Agnes Welch t he Manitoba government is hiding behind a bogus Legal Issue to stymie pension negotiations with its 1,100 jail guards their Union said tuesday. Corrections officer Darren Darvill who is leading the contract talks with the province said his colleagues Are furious Over what the Union Calls a sur prise stall tactic meant to delay an arbitration hearing on pension issues that have been outstanding for two years. The move damaged morale that a already Low because of dangerous work ing conditions and overcrowded jails. I a telling you people Are upset Darvill said. The arbitration hearing was slated for this week but at the last minute provincial negotiators said they could it proceed. They said Only the legis lature ? not the arbitrator ? has the Power to change the pension formula because its enshrined in legislation not in a collective agreement. We re not trying to delay things Button and also to make it easier for assistant Deputy labour minister Gerry corrections officers to retire when Irving said. We really think this is a their age and years of service total 75. Fundamental question that needs to be the Manitoba government and eral employees Union said the the Union wants to alter the pension province has often been painfully slow formula to boost the provinces Contri to negotiate or Settle contracts. The latest delay is very Odd since Premier Gary doer is the former pres ident of the Ngeu and a former corrections officer said Bill Anderson the unions director of negotiations. Having dealt with the government for a number of years though its not surprising he added. Union president Peter Olfert said the province never identified this problem when the pension Issue was put before an arbitrator in the past. Olfert said the government has known the unions position for months but Irving said it was Only last month that the government received word the Union intended to raise the pension Issue at arbitration. Olfert said the matter could have far reaching implications for other government workers who expect to negotiate fair pension deals. Both sides meet again in Early february when they la argue the Issue of whether the arbitrator has the author Ity to Rule on the pension plan. Corrections officers gave up the right to strike several years ago and in Exchange were promised speedy bind ing arbitration. buy any 3 books get the 4th free no Coupon required. On december 19, 20 & 21, 2007, buy any 3 books and get the 4th Book free on in store purchases Only. The free Book in this offer applies to the Book with the lowest retail Price. Offer not valid in conjunction with any other offer or promotion excluding rewards discount and mystery gift card. 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