A Statement by Environmental Defemce Canada’s Program Manager Rebecca Kolarich
Posted May 22nd. 2026 on Niagara At Large
Toronto – Earlier this May, 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
- The Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act was first introduced by the Ontario government under Bill 60 in November 2025.
- Environmental Defence’s previous statement on the Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act: Ontario’s Water Privatization Threat Is Looming, and Proposed Changes Don’t Fix It
- Municipalities, including Hamilton, Ont., have tried privatization before, with disastrous environmental and financial outcomes.
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.
To read a related post on this issue, click on – https://niagaraatlarge.com/2026/05/07/privatization-concerns-raised-over-provincial-legislation-impacting-municipal-water-systems/
NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space Following The Bernie Sanders Quote Below and by sharing the Niagara At Large site at www.niagaraatlarge.com with all of your friends and associates.
“A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders
Niagara At Large 