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Report released into Calgary man who froze in house

CALGARY — A report has been released about the death of a Calgary man who froze in his home because his heat was cut off.

CALGARY — A report has been released about the death of a Calgary man who froze in his home because his heat was cut off.

The report recommends that natural gas providers shouldn’t be allowed to turn off service over the winter starting Nov. 1, rather than Dec. 1 as is now the case.

John Frederick Davis froze to death in his house in November 2006 when temperatures plunged to -20 C.

A fatality inquiry heard that his gas service had been cut off for almost six months because Davis, who was 58, owed money on the account.

The gas wasn’t hooked up even though his mother paid the bill and asked that the service be reconnected.

The 64-page report commends Atco Gas and Direct Energy for some new measures to prevent similar deaths, but also calls on the Alberta Utilities Commission to review its procedures.

The inquiry heard that even though his mother had paid his outstanding balance, Davis was told he’d need to provide a security deposit and reconnection fee of $81.50.

He made several attempts to be reconnected, but took no steps to pay the amount, which could have mostly been offset by a $72.95 overpayment by his mother. That money had been refunded to him in September.