Invitation to Municipalities to register potential interest in implementing a Water and Wastewater Public Corporation model

Introduction: 

The Ministry invites municipalities with a potential interest in locally implementing a water and wastewater public corporation to make a submission expressing their interest in this model. Submissions should briefly explain the local context, which municipalities and service areas could be served, any requested changes to the existing regulatory framework to support adoption of this service delivery model, timing considerations, readiness for locally-led implementation, and how the model may help support increased investments in infrastructure to enable housing development.

This input will help the Ministry assess interest, inform next steps and support potential future expansions of the model following its initial focus in Peel Region.

Legislative Framework for Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act, 2025

In fall 2025, the government 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 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.

Subject to future regulations, the Minister will designate the first water and wastewater public corporation in Peel Region that will be jointly owned by Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon.

Details on recently proposed legislative amendments to the Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act, 2025, can be found here: Proposed amendments to the Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act, 2025 and consequential amendment to the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002.

Through this posting, the Ministry is inviting municipalities with a potential interest in locally implementing a water and wastewater public corporation to make a submission expressing their interest in this model. This input will help the Ministry determine next steps and support potential future expansion. 

Please consider the following questions in your response: 

1. Why is your municipality interested in the water and wastewater public corporation model? How do you anticipate this model will improve your water and wastewater services?
2. What are your municipality’s current and future fiscal circumstances as it relates to water and wastewater service delivery?
3. What steps are you currently taking to achieve your water and wastewater infrastructure goals, including investments to support growth, asset management, and system resiliency?
4. How would independent governance benefit your water and wastewater systems?
5. How does your proposal improve efficiency and generate economies of scale?
6. Are you willing to merge your water and wastewater systems into a public utility with surrounding systems?

Please note: this posting may be extended in the future to enable additional submissions.

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.