How Q-TILITIES is doing its part to (em)power the queer community

Paying your energy bill is likely a pretty unconscious decision for most folks. You need to keep the lights on after all. But what if that bill payment could do a little conscious good for your community?

That’s the idea behind Q-TILITIES, a new queer-owned utilities provider, started by Chris Cann. It’s not so different from how you might be powering your home right now, but the big difference is that Q-TILITIESnet profits are reinvested back into Alberta's 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

We spoke with Chris about what inspired this venture, how Q-TILITIES is able to give back to the community, and why some people may actually be overpaying for their electricity.

1. Tell us a little about your professional background.

My background is a bit of a mix, which actually makes this work feel like a natural fit. I spent over ten years working in financial services, followed by a couple of years in the utility sector. I then moved into human services and social work, where I spent about eight years working on the front lines as well as in leadership and program delivery roles.

From an education standpoint, I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Bachelor of Social Work. That combination of business, utilities, and community-focused work really shaped how I think about systems, access, and impact.

2. How did Q-TILITIES start? Why did you choose this industry?

My desire to work with and support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community goes back to the very beginning of my career in human services. As someone who struggled with identity and community connection growing up, and when I first came out, that pull toward community work was always there. Ironically, I never quite found a way to do that directly within my social work career.

While working in the non-profit sector, I became increasingly frustrated with the systemic gaps I was seeing. Organizations were constantly competing for the same limited funding, and entire programs could be put at risk when funding was cut. That risk was exhausting for staff and devastating for the people relying on those services.

At the same time, the broader political climate, both here in Alberta and globally, was shifting.

We started seeing corporations quietly step back from DEl initiatives and withdraw support from Pride and queer-focused community efforts, particularly as attacks on trans and queer communities intensified. I kept thinking there had to be a different way to fund and empower community work, one that did not rely solely on grants or corporate goodwill.

That is where the idea of a social enterprise really clicked for me. I wanted to build something that served a real, everyday need, while consistently reinvesting back into the community.

Utilities felt like the obvious answer. Everyone needs to power their home and business, and with my experience in both the utility sector and social services, it felt like a natural bridge between the two. Moreover, we carry pride in who we are and who we serve, and this model serves Alberta's queer and trans communities 365 days a year, not just in June.

Q-TILITIES was created as a way for community to support community. Instead of asking people to buy a niche product once or make a one-time donation, we are offering something people already pay for every month and redirecting those dollars toward queer and trans communities in Alberta. We're committed to the greater movement towards equality and supporting belonging through these financial contributions.

3. What does the process of using your services look like? Is there extra cost? Savings?

The process itself is very simple. Honestly, the hardest part is just letting people know that they even have a choice when it comes to who they buy their utilities from.

Signing up is a quick online application. You choose which services you want, electricity, natural gas, or both, select the rate that best fits your needs, and we take care of everything else. We notify your current provider, and there is no interruption to your service. Your power and gas still flow through the same wires and pipelines, using the same meters. Nothing physically changes in your home or business.

The only real differences are who you receive your bill from, the rate you are paying, and what happens to the profits. With Q-TILITIES, those net profits are reinvested back into Alberta's 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

There is no extra cost to signing up. Every energy provider builds a profit margin into their rates.

When comparing us to the major retailers in the province, our rates are often lower or very competitive. We are not charging people extra to give back. We are simply

choosing to reinvest our profits into the community rather than putting them into shareholders' pockets or executive bonuses.

A lot of people in Alberta do not realize they are overpaying for energy. Many are still on the Rate of Last Resort, which is often the most expensive option. Switching off that rate to one offered by Q-TILITIES can result in meaningful savings for the average consumer.

4. What is your experience as a gay professional in business?

Trial by fire is probably the best way to describe it.

If you had asked me two years ago whether I would be running my own energy company, would have laughed. Transitioning out of non-profit work and into entrepreneurship has been a big shift, but the response so far has been overwhelmingly positive, especially from queer and trans folks. There hasn't been pushback, but I am well aware that this is outside the "norm."

There is genuine excitement about seeing a queer-owned business take up space in an industry that is not typically seen as queer-friendly. The electricity sector is definitely one of those spaces. While many energy companies support community initiatives in various ways, none have positioned themselves as openly and proudly queer in the way Q-TILITIES has.

One of the biggest misconceptions we have faced is the idea that Q-TILITIES is only for 2SLGBTQIA+ people. That could not be further from the truth. While we are queer-owned and focused on reinvesting into queer and trans communities, our services are for everyone. Gay, straight, trans, cis, friend, ally, everyone is welcome and encouraged to switch to Q-TILITIES.

The only requirement is that you align with our mission and vision for a more inclusive Alberta.

On a personal level, launching Q-TILITIES has opened doors I never expected. I have met incredible people, connected with community leaders and change makers, and experienced a level of support that has been deeply affirming. Seeing how excited people get about this idea and having them come on as partners has been incredibly rewarding.

5. What do you wish to achieve with Q-TILITIES?

Total energy domination. Just kidding.

My real goal is for Q-TILITIES to become a trusted household name, especially within our community. I would love to walk up to someone during Pride week, ask where they get their utilities from, and hear them say Q-TILITIES without hesitation.

I have set a lofty goal to reinvest $250,000 back into our community by 2030. That goal is ambitious, but I truly believe in the power of our community, along with the support of friends, families, and allies, to make it happen. When we show up for queer businesses and for each other, the impact can be huge.

6. How do you see your involvement and support of the queer community in Calgary now and in the future?

I see my involvement growing, but very intentionally.

Building trust within community matters to me. I do not expect trust simply because I am queer.

It has to be earned. That means showing up consistently, following through, and walking the talk.

I've already started supporting queer and trans organizations through donations and sponsorships, and lam particularly interested in supporting smaller grassroots groups that don't always receive the same visibility or funding as larger organizations. My goal is for Q-TILITIES to become a trusted partner, one that community organizations can genuinely count on.

While Q-TILITIES is a business, it is not about making me rich. It is a social enterprise rooted in community impact, and that commitment will always come first.

7. How can someone support your company?

The simplest and most impactful way is to sign up and switch your utilities to Q-TILITIES. That includes your home, your business, and if you have them, rental or recreational properties as well. Signing up is easy and takes less than five minutes.

This model only works with the support of community, friends, family, and allies. While Q-TILITIES is a newer brand, the service itself is reliable and proven. There is no risk to switching. Energy delivery continues through the same infrastructure, and behind the scenes, our billing, Customer Care, and energy procurement are managed by a company with over 40 years of experience that has supported more than 40 competitive energy providers across Alberta.

9. What do you love to do in your spare time?

I love to bake, and whenever I can find some downtime, I enjoy spending it with my husband and our cats, usually while watching some unapologetically trashy reality TV.

10. If someone was interested in your industry, what is the best way to get started?

The best place to start is by learning how the industry actually works, because it is far more complex than people think. Talk to people already working in the space, ask questions, and do not be afraid of starting in an entry-level role to understand the fundamentals. Q-TILITIES is a member of the UTILITYnet group of companies, and they do a great job of demystifying the industry for everyday folks. They run a blog that covers many topics like Local Access Fees, regulated costs, and how power is generated and supplied to homes, businesses, and farms.

I would also say that this industry needs people with diverse backgrounds, not just traditional energy or engineering experience. Skills in community engagement, communications, policy, finance, and social impact all have a place here. The industry is vast, and there's room for everyone. Q-TILITIES is proof of that.

11. Are you open to being contacted to discuss further?

Absolutely. I welcome it. If anyone has questions about Q-TILITIES, switching providers, or even just wants to learn more about how this model works, I encourage them to reach out. Anyone can reach me at chris@qtilities.ca.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

**Jarom Moriyama-Bondar**
*PIB — Co-founder*

Pride In Business article in partnership with TD.
By Jarom Moriyama-Bondar

How Q-TILITIES is doing its part to (em)power the queer community

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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