Statement by Rebecca Kolarich, Water Program Manager

Toronto | Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – Yesterday, the provincial government bypassed public consultation and quietly passed Bill 98—a move that keeps the door open to water privatization in Ontario. By doing so, it shrugged off a golden opportunity to put its words into action and ensure that Ontario’s water and wastewater systems remain public.

While Bill 98 included minor amendments to the Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act (WWPCA), the changes are nowhere near enough to protect Ontario’s water from stealth privatization. The government had the chance to do right by Ontarians and use Bill 98 to keep water public, but it chose not to.

To make matters worse, the government forced this bill through the legislature before the public consultation period closed, hindering the public’s ability to provide input before a decision was made.

This is a pattern we have seen far too many times with Premier Ford’s government—bypassing democratic accountability and prioritizing backroom interests over the health and well-being of Ontarians, and the environment. Ontario’s water is not a commodity—it belongs to the public.

Background Information

ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.

– 30 –

For more information or to request an interview, please contact:

Erinn Steringa, media@environmentaldefence.ca