Residents in Steinbach, Manitoba, will see a small increase in their natural gas bills starting Feb. 1, 2026. The Public Utilities Board (PUB) approved the change in Board Order 13/26 to adjust Centra Gas Manitoba Inc.’s Gas Commodity rate, citing adjustments to the Purchased Gas Variance Account balance and changes in forecast gas supply costs.
The Gas Commodity price (what Centra pays for the gas itself) will rise from $0.0805 to $0.0839 per cubic metre. The approved change — together with the continuing Commodity Cost Balancing Deferral rider — is expected to add about $7 to the annual bill of a typical residential household, an increase of roughly 1.1 percent.
These commodity-rate changes are part of a quarterly review (February, May, August and November) intended to align the rate customers pay with Centra’s actual supply costs. Customers with fixed-term, fixed-price contracts — whether with Centra or with private natural gas brokers — will not be affected by this update.
Centra Gas (a subsidiary of Manitoba Hydro) sells the Gas Commodity on a cost‑recovery basis and earns no profit on that portion of the bill; the price is passed directly to customers. The PUB and reporting by SteinbachOnline note the increase is primarily driven by the Purchased Gas Variance Account adjustments but is partially offset by a forecasted decrease in natural gas costs over the next 12 months; the current $0.0839/m³ rate remains well below the peaks seen in 2023.
Residents who have questions can contact Centra Gas Manitoba Inc. customer service at 1-888-624-9376 or consult the Public Utilities Board website for details. The Gas Commodity rate and the balancing deferral rider are scheduled to be reviewed again on May 1, 2026.
