Hydro-Qubec clients plan blackout protest against rate hikes

More than95,000 Hydro-Qubec clients say they will turn off their breakers for an hour, in protest of rate hikes going into effect tomorrow.

• Hydro-Qubechikes home electricity rates by 2.9%

"Maybe on 1 January 2016, Hydro will be responsible for a mini baby boom in Quebec instead of the impoverishment of its population!" says the description on the "Grand black-out Hydro-Qc"Facebook page.

Event organizers say that turning off the power from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday night is a way for clients to tell Hydro-Quebecthey do not agree with rising electricity prices.

"People are outraged but dont necessarily know how to go about it," event organizerJaniqueDelormetold MikeFinnertyon CBC'sDaybreak.

Maybe...Hydro will be responsible for a mini baby boom in Quebec instead of the impoverishment of its population!- 'Grand black-out Hydro-Qc' Facebook description

"I think that this is creating a movement of solidarity, and thats the point of all this."

Delorme said this event is part of larger protests against the Quebec government's recent cost-cutting measures.

"People are fed up with everything.Prices are going up in so many areas with the government, and they'recutting in public services," said Delorme.

The rate increase, approved by Quebec's Energy Board earlier this month, is less than the3.9 per centhike that Hydro-Qubec had requested.

The residential rate increase comes on the heels of Hydro-Qubec'srecord-breaking profits posted in 2014.