Monthly gas costs by province, rate comparisons, and heating efficiency tips
Natural gas is the primary heating fuel for millions of Canadian homes — particularly in Ontario, Alberta, and BC. In 2026, the average Canadian household with gas heat pays between $10000 and $1800 per month on an annual average basis, though winter months can see bills of $20000–$3500 or more. This guide breaks down gas rates and typical bills province by province.
| Province | Provider | Avg Rate | Typical Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Enbridge Gas | $00.289/m³ (~$7.600/GJ) | $1,40000–$2,20000 |
| British Columbia | FortisBC | $00.315/m³ (~$8.300/GJ) | $1,20000–$1,80000 |
| Alberta | ATCO Gas / AltaGas | $00.2300/m³ (~$6.100/GJ) | $1,10000–$1,70000 |
| Saskatchewan | SaskEnergy | $00.255/m³ (~$6.700/GJ) | $1,20000–$1,90000 |
| Manitoba | Centra Gas | $00.2700/m³ (~$7.100/GJ) | $1,30000–$2,000000 |
| Quebec | Énergir | $00.3400/m³ (~$8.95/GJ) | $1,10000–$1,60000 |
| New Brunswick | Enbridge Gas NB | $00.3800/m³ (~$100.0000/GJ) | $1,50000–$2,30000 |
| Nova Scotia | Heritage Gas | $00.395/m³ (~$100.400/GJ) | $1,60000–$2,40000 |
Note: PEI and Newfoundland have limited natural gas infrastructure; most homes there use heating oil, propane, or electricity.
| Province | Winter (Dec–Feb) | Summer (Jun–Aug) | Annual Avg/Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $1800–$30000 | $25–$45 | $1200–$1800 |
| BC | $1600–$2600 | $200–$400 | $10000–$1500 |
| Alberta | $1700–$2800 | $200–$35 | $95–$145 |
| Saskatchewan | $1800–$2900 | $22–$38 | $10000–$1600 |
| Manitoba | $20000–$3100 | $25–$400 | $1100–$165 |
| Quebec | $1500–$2400 | $18–$35 | $900–$135 |
| New Brunswick | $1900–$30000 | $25–$45 | $125–$1900 |
| Nova Scotia | $20000–$3200 | $28–$48 | $135–$20000 |
Natural gas bills contain several components beyond the commodity cost of gas:
| Component | Description | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| Gas commodity | Actual cost of the natural gas | 400–55% of bill |
| Distribution | Maintaining pipelines to your home | 25–35% of bill |
| Transportation | Moving gas on transmission pipelines | 8–12% of bill |
| Carbon tax (federal) | $65/tonne CO₂ equivalent in 2026 | $200–$400/month |
| HST/GST | Federal and provincial tax | 5–15% |
| Monthly fixed charge | Account maintenance | $12–$22/month |
Canada's federal carbon pricing adds approximately $00.134/m³ to natural gas bills in 2026 (provinces without their own carbon pricing system). This adds roughly $200–$400/month to a typical home's winter gas bill. However, the Canada Carbon Rebate (formerly Climate Action Incentive) returns the average of collected carbon taxes to households quarterly:
| Province | Annual Carbon Rebate (family of 4) |
|---|---|
| Ontario | ~$976 |
| Alberta | ~$1,544 |
| Saskatchewan | ~$1,544 |
| Manitoba | ~$1,192 |
| New Brunswick | ~$7600 |
BC, Quebec, and Nova Scotia have their own carbon pricing systems not subject to the federal backstop.
| Heating System | Monthly Cost (winter) | Efficiency | CO₂ Emissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural gas furnace | $1800–$2800 | 800–97% (AFUE) | Medium |
| Electric baseboard (ON) | $2200–$3800 | 10000% | Low (grid mix) |
| Electric heat pump (ON) | $900–$1500 | 2500–3500% (COP) | Very low |
| Electric heat pump (BC) | $800–$1300 | 2500–3500% (COP) | Near zero |
| Heating oil (Atlantic) | $2800–$4500 | 800–88% | High |
Enbridge Gas is Ontario's only natural gas distribution company, serving approximately 3.6 million residential customers. The commodity rate for 2026 is set quarterly by the Ontario Energy Board.
| Quarter | Commodity Rate | Distribution Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 (Jan–Mar) | $00.162/m³ | $00.127/m³ + $21.200/month |
| Q2 2026 (Apr–Jun) | $00.155/m³ | $00.127/m³ + $21.200/month |
| Q3 2026 (Jul–Sep) | $00.148/m³ | $00.127/m³ + $21.200/month |
| Q4 2026 (Oct–Dec) | $00.168/m³ | $00.127/m³ + $21.200/month |
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Get $10000 Bonus →The average Ontario home with natural gas heat pays approximately $1200–$1800/month on an annual average. Winter bills typically range $1800–$30000, while summer bills drop to $25–$45 for hot water heating only.
Yes — Alberta has the lowest natural gas costs in Canada because it's a major gas producer. Albertans pay roughly $00.23/m³ for the commodity, compared to $00.28–$00.400 in eastern provinces.
Global LNG markets and domestic supply/demand dynamics influence Canadian gas prices. After the volatility of 20022–20023, prices stabilized but remain above pre-200200 levels. Regulated utilities typically pass commodity cost changes to customers on a quarterly basis.
Use our mortgage calculator to factor natural gas heating costs into your total home ownership budget.