[cyclone3483]

I worked at ENMAX and can tell you just a few things:

1-if you lock in to a rate, you have less fluctuation
2-their rates are based on price (determined by suppliers) plus profit (as defined by the City), so they can't really do anything about the rates
3-meter reading is intermittent at best (less when weather is terrible, like -35), so you will get fluctuation in your usage no matter what
4-when they don't read the meter, they estimate, but then 'catch up' when the meter is read...sometimes giving you an abnormally high or low usage for the month.

Unfortunately, that is the way it is. ENMAX is fairly open to change under it's current management, and you can certainly register your complaints with them. They may not change anything (but they might)..they will definately listen.

And the alternative (Direct Energy) is abolutley the GREATER of the two evils.