0:00
I want to acknowledge and apologize for
0:02
the concern and disruption this has
0:05
Nova Scotia Power execs were in the hot
0:07
seat detailing the cyber attack that
0:09
brought the utility to its knees earlier
0:12
This incident was an unprecedented,
0:14
sophisticated, and targeted attack.
0:17
Based on expert assessments and
0:18
intelligence, there's a high degree of
0:20
confidence that the activity was closely
0:22
associated with a Russia based threat
0:24
actor group. Losing connection to
0:26
meters, leading the utility to estimate
0:28
everyone's bills. But MLA say they've
0:31
heard stories of people being charged
0:32
double and triple last year's usage.
0:35
The system was never designed to
0:37
estimate that number of bills.
0:39
75% of customers have had meters
0:41
physically read. All will be done by the
0:43
end of March and all bills are to be
0:47
If we have overestimated your bill, we
0:49
will fix it. If you have overpaid, we
0:53
will fix it. and if we make a mistake,
0:57
Saying customers will get a credit or be
0:59
able to apply for a refund. He declined
1:01
publicly, stating the cost of the cyber
1:03
attack, but maintained customers won't
1:06
pay for it. Meanwhile, social insurance
1:07
numbers will be removed from Nova Scotia
1:09
Power Systems by March 31st at the
1:11
latest. The CEO says that's yet to be
1:14
done due to simultaneous investigations.
1:16
Opposition parties say a committee
1:18
appearance isn't enough, calling for a
1:20
review of the utility. An NDP motion to
1:23
have the Department of Energy come
1:24
before the committee was voted down by
1:27
But there are still a lot of questions.
1:28
What is it that government is doing to
1:30
help Nova Scotians with the big
1:32
challenges that have been revealed by
1:35
This today was a bit of a dog and pony
1:37
show. The government has called a
1:39
private company for that has an interest
1:41
to protect their bottom line. Nova
1:42
Scotia Power can't be the only ones
1:44
we're talking to about this.
1:45
But a governing MLA says the PCs will
1:47
hold the utility accountable. I'm going
1:49
to go to caucus tomorrow and I'm going
1:51
to suggest that they have hurt Nova
1:53
Scotians and they need to be subject to
1:55
a fine that will hurt.
1:57
I think it would have to have six zeros
2:01
He says Premier and Energy Minister Tim
2:02
Houston will have more to say Thursday.
2:05
Callum Smith, CTV News, Hellifax.
