A report commissioned by Hydro-Québec is recommending the utility forgive more than $250 million in unpaid electricity bills owed by members of some First Nations and Inuit communities.

The report, prepared by retired Quebec judge François Rolland, was commissioned by Hydro-Québec after a 2024 Radio-Canada investigation revealed the scale of unpaid electricity bills by people living in 15 communities.

According to the utility, nearly half the customers in those communities have outstanding balances.

The report’s central recommendation is for Hydro-Québec to transfer the debts to the communities themselves and let them decide whether to collect the money, reduce the debts or forgive them altogether.