What to know
- TCEU Local 416 is warning that Brad Bradford’s proposed 25 per cent water-bill cut could put Toronto’s drinking water at risk.
- Bradford’s campaign says Toronto Water would remain 100 per cent publicly owned, with private investment prohibited.
- The union argues the system needs its reserves and ongoing investment for infrastructure, treatment and repairs.
- Bradford’s campaign says the bill cut would come from changing how the city finances major infrastructure projects.
A union representing workers who operate and maintain Toronto’s water system is warning that Brad Bradford’s plan to cut water bills by 25 per cent could put the city’s drinking water at risk.
TCEU Local 416, which represents more than 6,000 City of Toronto outside workers and paramedics, including operators, mechanics and technicians who work on the city’s water and wastewater system, issued the warning Monday.
The union says Bradford’s proposal to restructure Toronto Water as a publicly owned utility could weaken oversight and reduce funding available for infrastructure, treatment and repairs.
“Our members test and treat every drop of water the people of Toronto drink, and we repair the city infrastructure that brings it to your tap,” said Domenic Maugeri, president of TCEU Local 416 in a statement to Now Toronto.
“If you put private interests ahead of public delivery of services, repairs get put off and people suffer. Put them off long enough and your water stops being safe.”
Bradford announced Monday that he would cut Toronto water bills by 25 per cent on the first $1,500 of a household’s annual bill. His campaign says the move would save the average household about $300 a year.
His plan would turn Toronto Water into a publicly owned utility that remains 100 per cent owned by Toronto taxpayers. An independent board would set water rates, while Bradford says private investment would be prohibited by city bylaw.
The union argues that creating a separate corporate structure could open the door to privatization and move decision-making away from elected city council.
The union also argues that the province sets the rules governing the corporation’s board, meaning a city bylaw banning private investment could not override provincial legislation.
Bradford’s campaign is pushing back against that concern.
“Water safety standards are set and enforced by provincial law, no matter who runs the system,” a campaign spokesperson told Now Toronto. The campaign pointed to Kingston and Windsor, which it says have operated city-owned water corporations for years.
The campaign also said Bradford’s plan would keep Toronto Water “100 per cent owned by Toronto taxpayers” and “permanently barred from private investment.”
Bradford says the 25 per cent rate cut would be possible by spreading the cost of major infrastructure projects over the useful life of those assets, rather than having current residents pay the full cost upfront.
But Local 416 says the money Bradford wants to use to lower bills is needed to maintain and repair the city’s water system.
Bradford’s campaign says Toronto Water collected roughly $400 million more in user fees than it cost to operate in 2024, while water and wastewater reserves have grown to about $2 billion. The union argues those reserves are needed to maintain the infrastructure that delivers and treats Toronto’s drinking water.
“Walkerton taught Ontario that safe water takes strong oversight and steady investment. This plan weakens both,” Maugeri said.
The union is calling on Bradford to withdraw the proposal and keep Toronto Water under the direct accountability of city council.
Toronto’s municipal election is Oct. 26.
