Thank you for the…

Thank you for the opportunity to submit comments with respect to ERO 025-1098 and the transfer of Water and Waste Water Infrastructure to the Local Municipalities of Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon to establish a Public Utility Corporations. We support this move together with the following caveats:

1) The new Public Utility Corporation must be able to accept Private Investment.

Currently, Private Equity and Private/Public Pension plans are investing in water and waste water corporation outside of Canada/Ontario due to the lack of legislative authority to invest in these types of assets locally. This must be permitted under the Statute to address housing unaffordability.

Currently Development Charges are increasing the cost of housing and new homeowners are funding Development Charges on their Mortgages. New investment by the private sector (at the appropriate percentage and with a stable return) will secure "public" oversight of the asset but at a more affordable cost by the User.

2) The Public Utility Corporation must consist of a professionally based Board that has experience in Finance, Engineering, Infrastructure delivery, Planning etc. This Utility Corporation should not have members that consists of those elected to a term of council. Infrastructure is the core foundation of society and we need to ensure that it is managed/guided by Professionals in the long run beyond a term of council.

3) This mandate must be implemented immediately. It can't wait years for implementation. Currently, the Region of Peel has oversight on all Water and Waste Water infrastructure and is financing, constructing and delivering of infrastructure at a great expense paid for by Development Charges. These Development Charges have become unbearably expensive and is negatively impacting house affordability. Many new homeowners are financing the Development Charges on their mortgage at a greater cost vs corporations. FYI - Currently, the Total DC in Peel is $150,000 with $78,000 being the Region of Peel's component.

We believe that with the correct structure, this new Public Utility Corporation would lower costs, streamlining the installation, and increase house affordability to Residents of Peel.