An environmental group and two B.C. residents have sued the province’s largest gas utility, claiming FortisBC deceived the public in an effort to convince British Columbians to continue purchasing gas it markets as “renewable.”
The case against FortisBC is the first time a major utility in Canada has been sued for allegedly making deceptive claims about renewable natural gas (RNG).
The lawsuit alleges FortisBC has inaccurately promoted natural gas to consumers as a form of home heating that is always more affordable and sustainable than electric alternatives. The suit suggests that neither claim is true.
A private member's bill put forward by NDP MP Charlie Angus is closely modelled on the Tobacco Act, which successfully controlled tobacco advertising in the face of that public health crisis.