This consultation was open from:
October 23, 2025
to November 22, 2025
Decision summary
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing proposed legislative amendments to the Municipal Act, 2001 to transfer jurisdiction over water and wastewater to the lower-tier municipalities in Peel Region and the introduction of a new standalone statute to authorize the establishment of water and wastewater public corporations.
Decision details
Introduction:
On October 23, 2025, the government introduced Bill 60, Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025, which received Royal Assent on November 27, 2025.
This legislation amended the Municipal Act, 2001 (MA) to transfer jurisdiction over water and sewage (wastewater) from Peel Region to the lower-tier municipalities of Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon, and introduced a new standalone statute, the Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act, 2025.
Amendments to the Municipal Act, 2001
Transfer jurisdiction over water and wastewater services from Peel Region to the municipalities of Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon, effective January 1, 2029, or a different date as prescribed by the Minister.
Amendments to prevent the transfer of jurisdiction over water and wastewater back from the lower-tier municipalities using existing authority to transfer services in the Municipal Act, 2001.
New Legislative Framework for Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act
Introduced a framework that authorizes the Minister to require municipalities to provide water and wastewater services exclusively through a new water and wastewater public corporation. The new framework includes legislative authority for the Minister to:
- Designate corporations as water and wastewater public corporations by regulation.
- Require prescribed municipalities to deliver water and wastewater exclusively through a water and wastewater public corporation beginning on a date as prescribed.
- Make regulations including, but not limited to:
- Duties and responsibilities for a water and wastewater public corporation.
- Requirements related to the nomination, appointment, election, or removal of members of the board of directors of a corporation.
- Powers for a public corporation to impose and collect fees and charges. If required by LGIC regulation, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing would have oversight powers over rate plans (and additional plans that may be prescribed in regulations).
- Providing for additional transitional matters.
A corporation would be incorporated under the Ontario Business Corporations Act at the direction of the Minister who has the authority to designate the corporation as a water and wastewater public corporation. Subject to future regulations setting out the share allocation, this first corporation would be jointly owned by Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon.
Effects of consultation
MMAH received a total of 69 comments from individuals submitted to the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO), and 6 letters were received through email.
Generally, while some comments highlighted potential for cost savings and increased housing affordability in Peel Region, a number of comments indicated the new corporation may result in higher costs for residents, reduced accountability, increased duplication, safety risks, and the potential privatization of water and wastewater. Additional highlights included:
- Water and wastewater public corporations should be publicly-owned. Decisions related to the establishment and operation of water and wastewater corporations should be made locally.
- Water and wastewater corporations should prioritize public health and safety, while maintaining high levels of public transparency and accountability.
- Ongoing public consultation, coupled with transparent governance and reporting, including of rate-payer and labour relations impacts, is essential for the success of the new corporation.
The proposed legislation allows for the transformation of the governance and financing framework of Peel Region’s water and wastewater systems to accelerate infrastructure investment, support housing growth, and maintain high service standards.
The government has committed to keeping the proposed new corporation publicly-owned, specifically by Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon as the shareholders under future regulations as it relates to services in Peel Region. With the proposed new water and wastewater public corporation, day-to-day operations will continue uninterrupted, and the need for skilled professionals who deliver these essential services will remain.
Peel Region’s water and wastewater treatment facilities will still be subject to the same legislated public health and environmental protections and requirements as all water and wastewater systems in Ontario. These strong safeguards, which are among the most rigorous in Canada, will remain in place to protect public health and safety.
The government will continue working closely with the designated municipalities to ensure a smooth and respectful transition.
Comments received through the environmental registry and email will continue to be considered by the government as it moves forward with implementation of Bill 60, including development of the regulation(s). This includes feedback on the importance of transparency, accountability, affordability, existing arrangements, asset management, and meaningful public engagement in both the establishment and ongoing operations of the new corporation.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
777 Bay St., 13th Flr.
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Connect with us
Contact
Localgov@ontario.ca
777 Bay St., 13th Flr.
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Original proposal
Proposal details
The government is seeking public feedback on proposed legislative and regulatory changes under the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 to streamline the construction of new homes and infrastructure (e.g., water, wastewater, roads, transit), reduce gridlock, enhance community safety, and improve landlord-tenant frameworks.
MMAH is proposing legislative amendments to the Municipal Act, 2001 (MA) to transfer jurisdiction over water and wastewater from Peel Region to the lower-tier municipalities of Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon and introduction of a new standalone statute to set out a framework for a new water and wastewater (w/ww) public corporation.
Current Proposal:
MMAH is proposing amendments to the Municipal Act, 2001 (MA) to transfer jurisdiction over water and sewage (wastewater) public utilities from Peel Region to the municipalities of Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon effective January 1, 2029, or a different date as prescribed by the Minister.
MMAH is also proposing a framework for a new water and wastewater public corporation (standalone legislation) to deliver water and wastewater services, including legislative authority to:
- designate corporations as water and wastewater public corporations – to be prescribed by regulation
- require prescribed municipalities to deliver water and wastewater exclusively through a water and wastewater public corporation beginning on a date as prescribed
Amendments to the Municipal Act, 2001
Transfer jurisdiction over water and wastewater services from Peel Region to the municipalities of Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon, effective January 1, 2029, or a different date as prescribed by the Minister.
Amendments to prevent the transfer of jurisdiction over water and wastewater back from the lower-tier municipalities using existing authority to transfer services in the Municipal Act, 2001.
New Legislative Framework for Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act
Introduce a framework that authorizes the Minister to require municipalities to provide water and wastewater services exclusively through a new water and wastewater public corporation. The new framework will include legislative authority for the Minister to:
- designate corporations as water and wastewater public corporations by regulation
- require prescribed municipalities to deliver water and wastewater exclusively through a water and wastewater public corporation beginning on a date as prescribed
- make regulations including, but not limited to:
- duties and responsibilities for the water and wastewater public corporation
- requirements related to the nomination, appointment, election, or removal of members of the board of directors of the corporation
- powers for the public corporation to impose and collect fees and charges. If required by LGIC regulation, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing would have oversight powers over rate plans (and additional plans that may be prescribed in regulations)
- providing for additional transitional matters
A corporation would be incorporated under the Ontario Business Corporations Act at the direction of the Minister who would have the authority to designate the corporation as a water and wastewater public corporation. Subject to future regulations setting out the share allocation, this first corporation would be jointly owned by Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact
The current proposal is part of a multi-year pathway, the complete costs of which would need to be considered cumulatively at the time of local implementation.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
777 Bay St., 13th Flr.
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
This consultation was open from October 23, 2025
to November 22, 2025
Connect with us
Contact
Localgov@ontario.ca
777 Bay St., 13th Flr.
Toronto,
ON
M7A 2J3
Canada
Comments received
Through the registry
69By email
6By mail
0