Bernard Steele was cut off in 2014 after a heart attack, had an extended hospital stay, his apartment was never connected again. Steele says the past eight years have been incredibly difficult, he’s been embarrassed and struggled through cold winters and hot summers. He says the community that supported him in his building got him through. “They cut my power in the winter with complete disregard for human rights,” Steele said. He fought Hydro Ottawa to get it back. “They said they looked on their computer and said the apartment doesn’t exist in that building…I said, ‘Well, they cut my power, they knew it existed then.’ At some point he just gave up and decided to try to live without it. Steele relies on solar panels to power 12-volt batteries, enough to turn on a light when needed or play a radio. Steele receives the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), but after paying the rent he doesn’t have much left. “Ten dollars a day, but the people in the building, at dinner time, make me a hot meal. It’s been eight hard years, especially in the winter.” Neighbors like Louise Valiquette were his lifeline, helping to feed him when she could. “It’s outrageous. Can you imagine eight years without power?” he said. And he fights to get his power back. “We have to do something to change the situation.” In recent days, as the group increased the pressure, CTV News also made calls to Ottawa Hydro. Finally, there was a positive turn on Wednesday afternoon. To Steele’s surprise, it was a visit from Hydro Ottawa and the lights came back on for the first time since 2014. “I feel so happy that I can get my life back together,” he said. “I would really like to thank the members of CTV for helping me get my power back on.” Hydro Ottawa told CTV News in a statement that it has to comply with certain rules, but is happy to see that Steele’s power has been restored. “Over the years, Hydro Ottawa’s focus has remained: delivering value across the entire customer experience. We are always here to help and provide options to our customers in ways that best meet their unique circumstances and needs. But as a controlled business, we do have to operate under specific rules and regulations set out by the Ontario Energy Board and the Electrical Safety Authority. This would happen when a customer is disconnected. We are pleased to see that Mr. Steele has been reconnected.” Steele’s restoration of power is an occasion worth celebrating, and Valiquette already has a plan. “I promised him when his plumbing was connected I’d bake him a cake,” she said.
