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A Montreal woman whose dispute with Hydro-Québec may lead to her having her power cut off says bigger issues are at play.

Hydro-Québec told Denise Babin that it would cut off her power on Aug. 27 if she doesn’t let the utility replace her hydro meter.

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As of late Monday afternoon, her power was still on, but it could be cut without further notice.

Babin has an old analog hydro meter in her home that must be replaced before Dec. 31. Hydro-Québec wants to replace it now.

Babin doesn’t want a “smart,” or connected, meter, which reports usage directly to Hydro-Québec.

She says that’s out of a “precautionary principle.”

“I think I should be able to say, because it’s going into my house, give me a chance to check it out, give me a chance to not have it yet so we can see,” she said. “I wouldn’t take a medication if I didn’t have some sort of certification and Hydro, when you ask them on the phone if it’s safe, they tell you yes, but ‘can you please send me something in writing saying that?’ and they don’t.”