Carib Scope

分类： environment

  • Missing Ocean-Monitoring Buoy Recovered in Barbuda as Met Office Warns Against Tampering

    Missing Ocean-Monitoring Buoy Recovered in Barbuda as Met Office Warns Against Tampering

    Authorities from the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service have successfully recovered one of three ocean observation buoys that vanished from its deployment site over the weekend. The recovered device was located along the coast of Barbuda, and inspection confirms it remained nearly undamaged through its unplanned displacement.

    These purpose-built monitoring buoys serve a critical public function: they collect continuous, real-time observational data on multiple key ocean and atmospheric variables, including significant wave height, ocean surface temperature, marine current speed and direction, and near-surface wind conditions. The data gathered by the network directly feeds into improving the accuracy of regional marine forecasts and general weather predictions, while also forming a foundational component of the country’s natural disaster early-warning systems for events like tropical storms and storm surges.

    In the wake of the recovery, the Meteorological Service has issued a formal public appeal. The agency emphasized that the entire buoy network counts as critical national infrastructure, and is asking all commercial mariners, small-scale fishers, and members of the general public to avoid moving, damaging, or tampering with any of the deployed buoys. Additionally, the service is calling on the public to report any suspicious activity involving the monitoring equipment directly to agency officials to prevent future losses or damage to the network.

  • Dominican Republic launches initiative to mobilize US$100 million for blue economy

    Dominican Republic launches initiative to mobilize US$100 million for blue economy

    Against a backdrop of escalating climate pressures and growing demand for sustainable economic development across the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic has launched an ambitious new initiative designed to unlock $100 million in targeted investment for high-priority environmental and climate resilience projects. The program centers on restoring critical watersheds, advancing sustainable water management systems, expanding sanitation access, strengthening natural resilience to climate shocks, and protecting vulnerable marine and coastal ecosystems that underpin regional livelihoods.

    This cross-sector initiative is led by three key stakeholders: the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Superintendency of the Securities Market (SIMV), and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) through the specialized Bluecar platform. It was formally introduced at a high-profile stakeholder meeting titled “Blue Economy and Capital Market: Opportunities for Securities Issuers,” which received diplomatic and financial backing from the Government of South Korea.

    To lay the groundwork for investment, organizers have opened a public call for proposals through Bluecar, which aims to identify qualified capital market entities that can access GGGI technical support. This assistance will help participating institutions structure and issue blue bonds, a specialized sustainable finance instrument tied explicitly to marine and water-focused environmental projects.

    A broad range of projects qualify for funding under the initiative. Eligible work spans from watershed protection and ecosystem restoration to improved water and sanitation infrastructure, climate-resilient public and private development, circular economy innovations, sustainable coastal tourism, low-impact port operations, responsible fisheries management, and environmentally sound aquaculture development.

    Dominican Republic Environment Minister Paíno Henríquez emphasized that the core mission of the initiative is to bridge the gap between untapped global capital and on-the-ground projects that deliver measurable dual benefits: tangible environmental progress and inclusive long-term economic growth. Henríquez highlighted that safeguarding the region’s watersheds is not just an environmental priority, but a foundational requirement for national water security, as well as the stability of key economic sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.

    The launch of this new initiative builds on the Dominican Republic’s growing track record of success in the global sustainable finance market. In June 2024, the country issued its first $750 million sovereign green bond, which saw overwhelming investor demand that reached six times the original offering size. Around $142.5 million of the proceeds from that bond have already been allocated to projects focused on efficient, climate-resilient water and wastewater management across the country.

    As an early milestone for the Bluecar initiative, two leading financial institutions — Banco BHD and Scotiabank — have already been selected to develop specialized thematic bond frameworks. Projects led by the two banks account for the first $10 million committed to the $100 million overall investment target, putting the initiative on solid footing to reach its fundraising goal.

    Looking beyond the Dominican Republic’s borders, the Bluecar initiative is designed to accelerate the development of a sustainable blue economy across the wider Caribbean, with a focused secondary focus on supporting progress in Saint Lucia. By aligning private capital with environmental action, the program aims to deliver simultaneous progress on climate adaptation, ecosystem conservation, and equitable, long-term sustainable economic growth across the region.

  • El Niño cuts drinking water production in Greater Santo Domingo by up to 68%

    El Niño cuts drinking water production in Greater Santo Domingo by up to 68%

    A severe climate-driven water crisis is unfolding across Greater Santo Domingo, where the El Niño phenomenon has triggered a sharp decline in rainfall that has crippled drinking water production across four major regional aqueduct networks, according to the Santo Domingo Water and Sewerage Corporation (Caasd).

    Since May, the key river watersheds that feed the region’s water infrastructure—including the Haina, Isa, Mana, Duey, Isabela and Nizao rivers—have received far less precipitation than historical averages, draining the natural water reserves that supply local distribution systems. The most dramatic drop has been recorded at the Haina-Manoguayabo Aqueduct, where output has plummeted 68% from its standard 91 million gallons per day to just 29 million gallons daily. The nearby Isabela Aqueduct has fared similarly poorly, seeing a 65% production reduction that brings its daily output down to 3 million gallons from the usual 9 million. Even the Isa-Mana and Duey aqueducts have each sustained production cuts of more than 60% amid the ongoing drought conditions.

    These sharp reductions in water output have translated to widespread service disruptions for dozens of communities across the region. Affected areas include the municipalities of Los Alcarrizos, Pedro Brand, Pantoja, and multiple neighborhoods along República de Colombia Avenue, along with large swathes of the National District south of John F. Kennedy Avenue. Populations served by the Haina-Manoguayabo system, including the central districts of Gascue, Zona Universitaria, El Cacique, and 30 de Mayo, are also grappling with interrupted water access.

    In response to the growing crisis, Caasd has rolled out emergency mitigation measures to reallocate water resources and bring relief to hard-hit neighborhoods. The agency is diverting additional water from the Valdesia-Santo Domingo Aqueduct to affected zones; while the Nizao River (a key source for the Valdesia system) has also seen lower flows, the two reservoirs feeding the network hold enough reserve water to maintain full normal operations, making it the region’s most stable water source at present.

    To expand last-mile distribution to underserved communities, Caasd has also boosted its fleet of water tanker trucks. The agency recently purchased 40 new dedicated tankers, 16 of which are already active on routes, with the remaining 24 set to join the fleet within the coming week. Complementing this public fleet, 76 additional privately contracted tankers are currently delivering emergency water supplies to residential areas facing the most severe outages.

    Moving forward, Caasd announced it will maintain continuous monitoring of El Niño’s evolution and its projected impact on local rainfall and water reserves, working closely with forecast data from the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet) to adjust mitigation strategies as conditions change.

  • Panama, El Salvador Declare Emergency Over El Niño Drought as Central America Braces for Crisis

    Panama, El Salvador Declare Emergency Over El Niño Drought as Central America Braces for Crisis

    As an unprecedentedly intense El Niño event drives a crippling regional drought, three Central American countries have formally declared national emergencies, triggering urgent preparations for a humanitarian and economic crisis that experts warn could extend well into 2027.

    On August 26, 2026, Panama joined Honduras and El Salvador in activating emergency protocols to respond to the drought, which has already forced dramatic cuts to shipping traffic through the critical Panama Canal and destroyed thousands of hectares of staple crops across the isthmus. Panama’s Interior Minister Dinoska Montalvo confirmed that the emergency declaration will unlock rapid-response resources for government agencies, allowing them to pre-position supplies, adjust water management systems, and support agricultural communities whose harvests have already been severely damaged by the lack of rainfall.

    Hours after Panama’s announcement, El Salvador’s civil protection authority declared a nationwide state of maximum red alert for both meteorological and agricultural drought, activating expanded real-time monitoring networks and mobilizing aid teams to reach vulnerable communities already facing water and crop shortages. The Salvadoran agriculture ministry has already rolled out emergency food assistance programs for rural households that rely on rain-fed farming, as unseasonably dry conditions have wiped out nearly a third of the country’s seasonal staple crops.

    El Niño, a cyclical climate pattern defined by elevated surface temperatures across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, alters global wind and precipitation cycles to produce extreme weather events around the world. While the phenomenon occurs on a two-to-seven-year cycle, the 2026 event is on track to rank among the most intense recorded in modern history, and is already a key driver behind forecasts that 2026 will be the hottest global year on record.

    Much of the affected region falls within the Central American Dry Corridor, an arid zone stretching across Honduras, Nicaragua and parts of El Salvador and Panama that has long been identified as one of the most climate-vulnerable regions in the Western Hemisphere. Honduras, the first country to declare an emergency, has placed 80 percent of its national territory on drought alert, while the Panama Canal has already been forced to cut daily transits by more than 30 percent due to critically low reservoir levels, creating a backlog that has rippled through global supply chains.

    As the crisis deepens, experts are sounding the alarm for neighboring Belize, which has yet to declare a formal emergency but is already facing early signs of severe drought. Climatologist Dr. Cedric Van Meerbeeck, a researcher at the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology, warned that the full impact of the El Niño event will not be felt until the region’s regular dry season begins. With already below-average rainfall leaving reservoirs and soil moisture at depleted levels heading into the dry months, the impact of the drought is expected to compound over time. Northwest Belize has already been flagged as a drought hotspot through September 2026, and Van Meerbeeck noted that small-scale farmers without access to irrigation or adaptive measures such as mulching could face reduced yields well into 2027, prolonging regional food insecurity risks.

  • Cooks Sanitary Landfill Smoldering Expected to Ease by Weekend, NSWMA Says

    Cooks Sanitary Landfill Smoldering Expected to Ease by Weekend, NSWMA Says

    Jamaica’s National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has released an updated public advisory addressing the ongoing smoldering event at Cooks Sanitary Landfill, a follow-up to its initial public notice issued one day prior. As of the latest update, the intensity of underground smoldering at the waste site remains at a moderate level, according to on-site monitoring data collected by the authority.

    Crews have been working continuously around the clock to contain and extinguish the smoldering, and NSWMA officials report that operational progress is on track to deliver measurable improvements. Based on current response efforts, the agency projects that smoldering activity will drop significantly by the end of the current week, with the explicit goal of fully extinguishing the event by this weekend.

    In the interim, the NSWMA is urging local residents and other community members to remain alert and continue following recommended safety precautions to limit exposure to potential hazards. Smoldering waste produces harmful smoke, fine ash, and airborne particulate matter that can pose respiratory risks, particularly for vulnerable groups.

    The authority outlined four key safety guidelines for the public: First, residents in affected areas should cut back on non-essential outdoor activities to reduce time spent near polluted air. Second, all people should avoid direct prolonged exposure to smoke, ash, and floating debris from the smoldering. Third, children, older adults, and anyone with pre-existing respiratory conditions or sensitivities should remain indoors as much as possible while the smoldering continues. Fourth, drivers passing through nearby areas should exercise extra caution, as drifting smoke can lower road visibility and create dangerous driving conditions.

    For any personnel or authorized visitors that must enter the landfill site itself, the NSWMA added additional guidance: all people on-site are required to wear properly fitted protective masks and adhere to all established safety protocols during their time within the facility.

    NSWMA says it will maintain continuous round-the-clock monitoring of smoldering conditions at the landfill, and will release additional public updates as new information becomes available or conditions change. The agency closed its advisory by thanking the local public for its ongoing patience, cooperation, and understanding as response crews work to fully resolve the incident.

  • Nevis Geothermal Project Reaches Final Pre-Mobilisation Milestone as Drill Rig Inspected in Iceland

    Nevis Geothermal Project Reaches Final Pre-Mobilisation Milestone as Drill Rig Inspected in Iceland

    One of the Caribbean’s most anticipated clean energy development projects has reached a pivotal turning point, as the Nevis Geothermal Project wraps up the final major pre-mobilization milestone: a full independent inspection of its custom drilling rig taking place at an Icelandic facility.

    The update was shared by Nevis Premier and Nevis Island Administration (NIA) Energy Minister Mark Brantley during his monthly press briefing on August 25, one day ahead of the official project announcement. Brantley confirmed that the rig inspection, being held from August 24 to 28 at the Iceland Drilling Company’s operations site, is the last required step before the heavy equipment can be shipped to the Caribbean island.

    “The final pre-condition for mobilization of the drill rig to Nevis is an inspection of that drill rig, and that inspection is currently underway in Iceland,” Brantley told reporters.

    The third-party assessment is being carried out by Scotia Drilling Consultants, a United Kingdom-based firm with specialized expertise in drilling rig safety and performance verification. Inspectors are conducting thorough reviews of the Drillmec HH-300 “Týr” rig’s structural integrity, mechanical systems, operational functionality, and core safety protocols. To oversee the inspection process and coordinate with international geothermal and engineering specialists, Nevis Electricity Company Limited (NEVLEC) General Manager Nelson Ald Stapleton and Project Coordinator Naftalie Errar have traveled to Iceland to be on-site for the assessment.

    Once the inspection is completed and passed, Brantley noted, all preliminary requirements will be fulfilled to advance the project to its next critical phase: transporting the 272-metric-tonne drilling rig to Nevis. The massive rig is slated to drill five exploratory and production geothermal wells at the project’s Hamilton site, located on Nevis’ northern coast.

    While international teams wrap up the rig inspection in Iceland, on-the-ground preparations have already begun at the Hamilton site in Nevis to welcome the equipment and prepare for drilling to start. Brantley confirmed that soil testing and pre-construction technical assessments launched the same week as the inspection, laying the groundwork for the well pad — the reinforced concrete foundation that will support the heavy drill rig during operations. Civil construction work for the well pad will be completed by Icelandic engineering firm COWI, with project supervision provided by Iceland Drilling, Brantley added.

    The development of the geothermal wells is the core component of the broader Nevis Geothermal Project, a long-planned initiative designed to unlock Nevis’ abundant underground geothermal reserves for utility-scale electricity generation. The end goal is the construction of a 30-megawatt geothermal power plant that will produce zero-emission, renewable baseload electricity for the entire Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. Once operational, the plant is expected to drastically cut the country’s reliance on costly, carbon-intensive imported fossil fuels, while significantly strengthening the nation’s long-term energy security.

    The project is led by the NIA, with NEVLEC acting as the main executing agency, and receives full backing from the Federal Government of St. Kitts and Nevis. Brantley disclosed that the NIA has already disbursed approximately US$6 million to Iceland Drilling to keep project preparations moving forward on schedule.

    Beyond benefiting St. Kitts and Nevis, Brantley highlighted that the project has drawn growing interest from neighboring Caribbean nations, signaling its potential to reshape regional clean energy access. He confirmed that the leader of Sint Maarten will visit Nevis in the coming weeks to hold discussions about the island’s geothermal development, including the possibility of Sint Maarten importing carbon-free electricity generated from Nevis’ geothermal resources in the future.

    Brantley closed his briefing by expressing gratitude to all stakeholders involved in advancing the project, specifically recognizing NEVLEC, Stapleton, and Scotia Drilling Consultants for their work and technical expertise during the inspection phase. He also reaffirmed the critical role of the partnership between the NIA and the federal government in moving the project toward full commercial operation, extending public thanks to Prime Minister Terrance Drew for his continued collaboration.

    “I never speak about this project without referencing the participation of the Federal Government and to say again my gratitude to Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew for his partnership on seeking to bring this particular project to commercialization for the benefit of all the people of St. Kitts and Nevis,” Brantley said.

  • Minstens 22 doden en honderden vermist na flash flood in Nepal; ook slachtoffers in Tibet

    Minstens 22 doden en honderden vermist na flash flood in Nepal; ook slachtoffers in Tibet

    Devastating sudden flash floods and mudslides have torn through mountainous northern Nepal and cross-border regions of Tibet, leaving at least 22 people dead and hundreds unaccounted for, according to official statements from regional and national authorities.

    The disaster struck the Rasuwa district of Nepal on Wednesday, heavily impacting the populated local areas of Syapru Besi and Timure, which are home to roughly 50,000 residents. Unsafe, rapidly rising floodwaters have grounded rescue helicopters, severely delaying the delivery of life-saving aid to affected communities. Among those reported missing are 384 tourists, including 291 visitors from nations spanning the United Kingdom, the United States, India, and Malaysia.

    Narendra Pariyar, chief administrator of Rasuwa district, has issued an urgent warning for all residents living along the Bhote Koshi River to evacuate immediately to higher ground. The surging floodwaters have already swept away entire nearby villages and critical infrastructure projects, leaving extensive destruction in their wake. The disaster has also spread to neighboring districts including Dhading and Nuwakot, where roads have been submerged, local properties damaged, and rescue operations are underway to reach trapped residents.

    Across the border in Tibet’s Gyirong port area, a destructive mudflow has also caused major damage, disrupting road access, cutting communications, and knocking out power supplies to local communities. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for full mobilization of search and rescue efforts, while emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen early warning systems to prevent secondary disasters after the initial event.

    In response to the crisis, Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah has convened an emergency meeting of the country’s National Disaster Management Authority. Nepali armed forces have already been deployed to the affected regions, mobilizing helicopter assets and dedicated ground rescue teams. The Nepal Electricity Authority confirmed that around 430 megawatts of hydropower generation capacity has been damaged by the floods, resulting in widespread power outages across affected areas.

    International stakeholders have also been drawn into the response: eight South Korean workers at a local hydropower project in Nepal are currently missing, with another 10 trapped at the site. The South Korean government has already established a dedicated task force and is preparing to deploy a rapid response team to support Nepali rescue operations.

    Climate and glacial experts suspect the disaster was triggered by a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF), a phenomenon that occurs when an avalanche of ice and rock blocks a river, creating a sudden, catastrophic burst of trapped water when the barrier fails. This event mirrors a similar outburst flood that hit the same cross-border region last year, killing nine people and destroying the key Friendship Bridge connecting Nepal and China.

    Researchers warn that climate change is driving a steady increase in both the frequency and intensity of these glacial outburst events across the Hindu Kush Himalaya region. The annual monsoon season, which runs from June to September across South Asia, already brings regular severe flooding and landslides that threaten lives, destroy livelihoods, and cripple local infrastructure each year. As of Tuesday, rescue operations and damage assessments are still ongoing, meaning the full scope of human and economic loss from this latest disaster remains unclear.

  • Good Humans 268 Turns Thousands of Discarded Bottles Into 10-Foot Teddy Bear

    Good Humans 268 Turns Thousands of Discarded Bottles Into 10-Foot Teddy Bear

    A creative environmental advocacy organization, Good Humans 268 Inc., has sparked public conversation about waste reduction by turning thousands of post-consumer discarded plastic bottles into an eye-catching 10-foot teddy bear sculpture. The ambitious art project is the group’s latest effort to reframe public perspectives on single-use waste, challenging the widespread assumption that thrown-away materials have no further value.

    Unveiled to the public recently, the oversized upcycled sculpture was intentionally designed to stand out in public spaces, catching passersby off guard and drawing spontaneous attention to the issue of plastic waste. Good Humans 268 explains that unconventional, surprising creative works are often the most effective tool to shift ingrained attitudes toward waste: by presenting a product most people would send to a landfill as the core material for a memorable piece of art, the organization forces people to reconsider their default approach to discarded goods. The teddy bear is built to spark curiosity, stop audiences in their tracks, and open up discussions about the untapped potential of everyday waste.

    Beyond raising questions, the project also aims to build broader public enthusiasm for recycling and circular economy practices, proving that innovative approaches to waste can unlock unexpected creative possibilities. This 10-foot teddy bear is only the first step in the organization’s ongoing creative environmental campaign, however. Good Humans 268 has already announced plans for its next public art initiative: crafting the official flags of all 56 Commonwealth nations entirely from recycled plastic bottle caps.
    “Today, it’s a 10-foot teddy bear. Tomorrow, it’s 56 Commonwealth flags made from bottle caps,” the group shared in a statement outlining its roadmap. Looking ahead, the organization says it is planning even larger-scale community-focused projects that merge creative expression, public education, and collective participation to boost global environmental awareness. “We are changing the conversation around waste, one wild idea at a time,” the group added.

  • Belize City Council’s e-Taxi Program Shifts Into High Gear

    Belize City Council’s e-Taxi Program Shifts Into High Gear

    In a major push toward sustainable urban transportation, the Belize City Council is ramping up its popular e-mobility initiative, actively seeking additional e-taxi drivers to join the growing zero-emission fleet serving Belize’s largest municipality.

    The program first launched as a pilot with just four electric taxis, and early results have exceeded expectations: local residents have widely embraced the new service, and program data confirms the model delivers economic benefits for the municipal government, participating drivers and daily commuters alike. Building on this successful trial, the council is adding four brand-new electric taxis to its operational fleet and is now accepting applications from qualified prospective drivers.

    Neil Hall, the council’s E-Mobility Coordinator, outlined the dual core goals driving the program. “We wanted to demonstrate to traditional taxi drivers that investing in cleaner modern technology can boost their bottom line, while also delivering tangible public benefits for the entire city,” Hall explained. “Switching to electric vehicles cuts the city’s carbon output, reduces noise pollution, and eliminates the emissions generated by combustion engine vehicles — it’s a win for public health and climate action across the board.”

    While the program has seen a steady stream of driver applications, Hall acknowledged that one key challenge has slowed adoption for some interested drivers: the council’s strict protocols for tracking vehicle locations overnight. “We’ve listened to driver concerns about this barrier, and we’re currently developing adjustments to address these issues, with the long-term goal of building a large, accessible e-taxi fleet that serves the whole city,” Hall added. Beyond the new e-taxis set to hit streets soon, Hall also confirmed that the council will eventually launch an electric bus expansion, meaning additional job opportunities for e-bus drivers will open up in the coming months.

    The public sector push for electric mobility in Belize City is being complemented by private sector action: local private firm e-Volution Motors has already launched its own independent e-taxi program, creating a collaborative landscape for electric transportation growth. To fund further expansion of the municipal e-mobility program, the Belize City Council plans to leverage proceeds from its municipal bond, securing long-term financial support for the transition to zero-emission urban transport.

  • Will Guatemala Solve Belize’s Energy Woes?

    Will Guatemala Solve Belize’s Energy Woes?

    Amid a persistent national energy crisis marked by strained domestic generation capacity, unreliable imported power from Mexico, and growing public frustration over soaring electricity rates, the government of Belize is advancing a multifaceted strategy to shore up long-term energy security – including opening new regional interconnection talks with neighboring Guatemala.

    Speaking to reporters on Monday, Public Utilities Minister Michel Chebat laid out the framework of the administration’s plan, confirming that the Briceno government is actively evaluating cross-border power sharing opportunities with Guatemala, a previously reported initiative now moving forward in earnest.

    Chebat explained that Belize’s ongoing challenge stems from a growing mismatch between rapidly rising consumer and commercial electricity demand and stagnant domestic generation output. For years, the country has relied heavily on imported power from Mexico to close the supply gap, and that interconnection remains a critical pillar of the national grid. However, overreliance on a single external supplier has left Belize vulnerable to volatile global energy prices, unexpected supply disruptions, and external events outside the country’s control.

    To address this, the government is prioritizing a transition to greater domestic energy production, a shift that Chebat acknowledged cannot be completed quickly. New generation projects require complex coordination across financing, land allocation, environmental permitting, transmission infrastructure development, procurement, and construction – all steps that take significant time. Even so, the minister emphasized that the government has moved beyond merely identifying the crisis and is actively implementing targeted solutions.

    The administration’s diversified strategy includes expanding utility-scale and distributed solar generation, deploying utility-scale battery energy storage systems, boosting the investment capacity of state-linked Belize Electricity Limited (BEL), expanding energy access through microgrids and standalone off-grid systems, upgrading the national transmission and distribution network, and advancing new regional interconnection projects including the Guatemala partnership.

    Alongside broader grid planning, BEL is also responding to a wave of customer complaints over sudden spikes in monthly electricity bills. Executive Chairman Lynn Young noted that not all unexpected bill increases are caused by faulty meters, a common assumption among consumers. BEL routinely deploys technicians to residential properties to investigate complaints, conducting on-site inspections of internal wiring, testing metering equipment, and analyzing historical consumption patterns.

    Young explained that BEL uses specialized energy analyzers connected to customer meters to map real-time consumption, and these investigations frequently uncover faulty household appliances or hidden internal electrical issues that are driving unplanned higher energy use. Technicians also review account histories to catch unexpected unpaid arrears that can inflate a single month’s bill. Even when no residents are home, analyzers can detect abnormal consumption pointing to malfunctioning devices, allowing technicians to pinpoint the issue and help customers resolve the problem quickly.

    On a separate policy matter related to electricity costs, Minister Chebat confirmed that any proposal to remove the goods and services tax (GST) from residential electricity bills will require full review and approval by the national Cabinet before moving forward.