What to know
- A new poll commissioned by CUPE Local 416 found that 60 per cent of Toronto respondents were concerned about the possibility of water privatization.
- Brad Bradford has proposed restructuring Toronto Water into a publicly owned utility and cutting household water bills by 25 per cent.
- A legal analysis cited by Mayor Olivia Chow’s campaign raises concerns about provincial powers over the proposed corporation, including its ownership and water rates.
- Bradford says the utility would remain publicly owned, with bylaws prohibiting private investment and an independent board setting rates.
As Toronto’s mayoral candidates continue making campaign promises, a new poll suggests many residents are concerned about the possibility of water privatization amid mayoral candidate Brad Bradford’s proposal to restructure Toronto Water.
According to a new poll by Pollara Strategic Insights, commissioned by CUPE Local 416, 60 per cent of Toronto respondents said they were concerned about the possibility of Toronto Water being privatized in the future.
The findings come after Bradford pledged to cut water bills by 25 per cent if elected mayor, promising the average household would save about $300 annually.
As part of his plan, Bradford proposes restructuring Toronto Water into a publicly owned utility modelled after Toronto Hydro. He argues the city collects more money than it needs to operate the water system and has accumulated about $2 billion in reserves.
Bradford says the new model would spread the cost of major infrastructure projects over the lifespan of the assets, rather than requiring current ratepayers to cover those costs upfront. He has also promised the utility would remain entirely owned by Toronto taxpayers, with bylaws prohibiting private investment and an independent board setting rates.
The campaign has also pointed to Edmonton, Windsor and Kingston as examples of other Canadian cities that use similar utility models. Bradford also cited Peel Region and Calgary as jurisdictions moving toward or considering similar approaches.
However, the proposal has drawn criticism from TCEU Local 416, which represents more than 6,000 city workers and paramedics, including workers involved in Toronto’s water and wastewater systems. The union warns that restructuring Toronto Water could weaken public accountability and open the door to future privatization.
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When asked about Bradford’s proposal and the possibility of future privatization, 35 per cent of respondents said they were very concerned, while 25 per cent said they were somewhat concerned. Another eight per cent were unsure.
“Our members test and treat every drop of water the people of Toronto drink, and we repair the city infrastructure that it flows through. We cannot risk putting private interests ahead of public delivery of services when it comes to the water we drink,” said Domenic Maugeri, president of TCEU Local 416.
Chow’s campaign criticized proposal
In a statement to Now Toronto, Mayor Olivia Chow’s campaign also criticized Bradford’s proposal, pointing to a legal analysis by Goldblatt Partners LLP.
The analysis examines how creating a water and wastewater business corporation under Ontario’s Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act could affect Toronto’s control over its water system, including the potential for rate increases, underinvestment and future privatization.
“Less money for safety. Less say for you. More risk to the water your family drinks every day. Our water should never be for sale or handed over to Premier Ford,” Chow’s campaign said.
The legal analysis raises concerns about provincial powers over the corporation’s ownership, governance and operations. It also notes that the province has powers over water rates, which could affect Bradford’s promises of lower bills.
“Experts are already raising the alarm bells on Bradford’s plan. I will always keep our water in public hands,” Chow said.
Bradford’s campaign responds to criticism
Bradford’s campaign is now pushing back, saying Chow and the unions that endorse her are now out with a scare campaign around water, accusing them of relying on fear-mongering.
The campaign has maintained that his proposal would keep Toronto Water publicly owned, with no private investment. His campaign says an independent board appointed by council, rather than elected politicians, would set water rates.
“Repeating a lie a hundred times doesn’t make it true. Toronto Hydro has been publicly owned since 1999 and nobody calls it privatized,” his campaign said.
Bradford’s campaign also says cutting bills does not mean cutting safety.
“The utility stays subject to Ontario’s drinking water regulations and the same provincial oversight and testing, and every pipe, plant and treatment upgrade still gets built,” the campaign said.
