Setting Up Utilities in Canada: Electricity, Gas, Water, Internet, and Phone

What Utilities Do You Need to Set Up?

When you move into a new home in Canada, you may need to arrange several utility services: electricity (called "hydro" in many provinces), natural gas (for heating and cooking), water, internet, and a phone plan. In rental apartments, some of these may be included in your rent. Always clarify with your landlord which utilities you are responsible for before moving in. This guide covers each utility, typical costs, and how to set them up across different provinces.

Electricity (Hydro)

Electricity is essential and must be active before you move in. In many parts of Canada, electricity is called "hydro" because much of it is generated by hydroelectric power.

Major Providers by Province

• Ontario: Toronto Hydro (Toronto), Hydro One (rural and suburban Ontario), Alectra (GTA suburbs), local municipal utilities
• British Columbia: BC Hydro (most of BC), FortisBC (some regions)
• Alberta: ENMAX (Calgary), EPCOR (Edmonton), and various retailers under a deregulated market
• Quebec: Hydro-Quebec (all of Quebec)
• Manitoba: Manitoba Hydro
• Saskatchewan: SaskPower
• Atlantic Canada: Nova Scotia Power, NB Power, Maritime Electric (PEI), Newfoundland Power

How to Set Up

Contact your provider by phone or online with your new address, move-in date, and personal identification. Most providers set up accounts within one to two business days. In deregulated markets like Alberta, you can choose your electricity retailer or use the regulated rate option. Newcomers without Canadian credit history may be required to pay a security deposit ($100-$400), which is refunded after 12-24 months of on-time payments.

Costs

Monthly electricity costs vary based on province, season, and usage. Budget approximately $80-$150 per month for an apartment and $120-$250 for a house. Ontario has time-of-use pricing, meaning electricity costs more during peak hours (typically 7-11 AM and 5-9 PM on weekdays). Quebec has among the lowest electricity rates in North America. Alberta and Ontario tend to have higher rates.

Natural Gas

Natural gas is used for heating, hot water, and cooking in many Canadian homes. Not all homes use gas; some rely entirely on electricity.

Major Providers

• Ontario: Enbridge Gas (most of Ontario)
• British Columbia: FortisBC
• Alberta: ATCO Gas (distribution), with various retailers for supply
• Saskatchewan: SaskEnergy
• Manitoba: Manitoba Hydro (combined with electricity)
• Quebec: Energir (limited use; most homes are electric)
• Atlantic Canada: Heritage Gas (Nova Scotia), Enbridge Gas NB (New Brunswick)

How to Set Up

Contact the gas utility serving your area to open an account. Provide your address, move-in date, and ID. If gas service has been turned off, a technician visit may be needed to reconnect and relight pilot lights. This may take several days to schedule, so plan ahead. Gas appliances should be inspected annually for safety.

Costs

Gas bills are highest in winter when heating demand peaks. Expect $50-$100 per month in summer and $150-$350 per month in winter for a house. Apartments are less, typically $30-$70 per month in summer and $80-$200 in winter. In Alberta and BC, natural gas is widely used and costs can be significant during cold months.

Water

Water service is handled differently than other utilities. In most cities, water is provided by the municipality and is not something you typically need to "set up."

In rental apartments, water is almost always included in rent. For houses, water bills come from your municipality. You either pay a flat rate or are metered. Monthly costs range from $30 to $80 depending on usage and municipality. Some cities charge for water and sewer separately.

To set up water service for a house, contact your city's water utility department with your address and move-in date. There is usually no deposit required.

Canadian tap water is safe to drink in all major cities and most municipalities. Water quality is regulated and tested regularly. Many newcomers are pleasantly surprised by the quality of Canadian tap water.

Internet

Internet is essential in Canada for everything from job searching to banking to government services. Set up your internet service before or immediately after you move in.

Major Providers

• National: Bell (Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic), Rogers (Ontario), Telus (BC, Alberta), Shaw (Western Canada, now merged with Rogers)
• Regional: Videotron (Quebec), SaskTel (Saskatchewan), MTS (Manitoba, owned by Bell), Eastlink (Atlantic Canada)
• Budget/Independent: TekSavvy, Oxio, Distributel, Start.ca, VMedia, CIK Telecom, CanNet

Plans and Pricing

Internet plans are categorized by speed. Basic plans (50-75 Mbps) cost $40-$60 per month, mid-range (150-300 Mbps) cost $60-$90, and high-speed (500-1000+ Mbps) cost $80-$130. Most plans include unlimited data, though some basic plans have data caps. Promotional pricing for the first 12 months is common. Read the fine print about price increases after the promotional period.

Budget providers like TekSavvy, Oxio, and Start.ca use the major carriers' infrastructure at regulated wholesale rates, offering the same reliability at lower prices. They are often the best value for newcomers.

Installation

Installation fees range from $0 to $100, often waived with promotions. If your building already has the necessary infrastructure (cable or fiber), installation may be self-serve with a mailed modem. Otherwise, a technician visit is required. Schedule installation at least a week before your move-in date. Some providers rent modems ($10-$15 per month) while others include them or let you buy your own.

Tips for Newcomers

Compare plans on WhistleOut.ca or PlanHub.ca. Avoid long contracts if possible; month-to-month gives flexibility. Ask about newcomer promotions. If you need internet immediately, a mobile hotspot on your phone can bridge the gap. Many public libraries, coffee shops, and community centers offer free Wi-Fi.

Phone Plans

See our dedicated guide on Canadian phone plans for detailed information. In brief, major carriers (Bell, Rogers, Telus) charge premium prices, while their sub-brands (Virgin Plus, Fido, Koodo) and MVNOs (Freedom Mobile, Public Mobile, Lucky Mobile, Chatr) offer significant savings with similar coverage in urban areas.

Heating Your Home

Heating is a major expense in Canada, especially from November through March. How your home is heated depends on the energy source:

• Natural gas furnace: Most common in Ontario, Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Efficient and relatively affordable.
• Electric baseboard heaters: Common in Quebec and some apartments in other provinces. Simple but can be expensive if electricity rates are high.
• Heat pumps: Increasingly popular, especially in BC and Atlantic Canada. Very energy-efficient.
• Oil heating: Found in some older homes in Atlantic Canada. Requires a storage tank and regular fuel deliveries.

Regardless of heating type, there are ways to reduce costs: seal drafts around windows and doors with weatherstripping, use a programmable thermostat (set to 20-21 degrees Celsius when home, 17-18 degrees when sleeping or away), keep curtains open during sunny days and closed at night, and ensure vents are not blocked by furniture.

Managing Utility Costs

Several strategies can help keep utility costs manageable:

• Equal billing plans: Most electricity and gas providers offer equal monthly payments based on estimated annual usage, smoothing out seasonal spikes. This helps with budgeting.
• Time-of-use awareness: In Ontario, do laundry and run the dishwasher during off-peak hours (evenings and weekends) to save on electricity.
• Energy-efficient habits: Turn off lights when leaving a room, unplug electronics not in use, use cold water for laundry, take shorter showers, and use LED light bulbs.
• Government rebates: The Canada Greener Homes Initiative and various provincial programs offer rebates for energy-efficient upgrades like insulation, smart thermostats, and heat pumps.
• Low-income support: Most provinces have utility assistance programs for low-income residents. Ontario has the Ontario Electricity Support Program, and BC has a bill assistance program through BC Hydro.

Setting Up a Checklist

Use this timeline to ensure everything is ready:

Two weeks before move-in: Contact electricity, gas, and water providers to set up accounts. Schedule internet installation. Arrange tenant insurance.

One week before: Confirm all service start dates. Set up online accounts for each utility to manage billing. Purchase any necessary equipment (modem, router).

Move-in day: Verify all services are active. Test heating and cooling systems. Confirm internet connection. Take meter readings if applicable.

First week: Set up automatic payments or equal billing plans. Register for online portals. Note contact numbers for each utility for future reference.

Deposits and Credit Checks

Many utility providers run credit checks when you open an account. As a newcomer without Canadian credit history, you may be asked to pay a security deposit. This deposit is typically refundable after 12 to 24 months of on-time payments. Deposits range from $100 to $400 depending on the provider and the expected monthly usage. Some providers accept a letter of credit from your bank instead of a deposit. Setting up automatic payments can sometimes reduce or eliminate deposit requirements.