Bill 60 opens the door to corporate control of Ontario's water. The "Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act" lets corporations — structured like private companies — take control of water services, set rates, and operate outside the same accountability rules as public institutions.
In November 2025, the Ontario government passed Bill 60, which includes the Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act, 2025. Despite its name, this legislation creates a legal pathway for corporations — structured like private, for-profit companies — to take control of water and wastewater services across Ontario.
This isn't modernization.
It's privatization (Americanization) by another name — corporate control, rate-setting power, and governance outside Crown accountability.
Water corporations must be incorporated under the Business Corporations Act — the same structure as private companies. They can issue shares, pay dividends, and operate with profit incentives.
Once a corporation is designated, municipalities must provide water services exclusively through that corporation. Elected councils lose direct authority over their own water systems.
Corporations can set their own rates and fees, with only regulatory oversight. The law states they are not agents of the Crown, so they operate outside the accountability framework that applies to public institutions.
Toggle to see how control shifts from public to corporate
Public Control
Bill 60 enables this shift. Once a corporation is designated, municipalities lose direct control and must deliver water exclusively through the corporation.
Toggle to see what the government says versus what the law actually does
Bill 60 modernizes infrastructure and provides new financing tools
It doesn't privatize water; providers remain overseen by government
Details will be defined in regulations rather than statute
This provides flexibility and efficiency
Municipalities will benefit from new governance models
The Pattern Is Clear
Bill 60's language doesn't explicitly say "privatize," but it creates the legal framework for corporations — structured like private companies — to take control of water services. The government's claims don't match what the law actually enables.
What the law actually says — and why it matters
"The Minister may, by regulation, designate a corporation as a water and wastewater public corporation to provide water and sewage services on behalf of the lower-tier municipalities that are prescribed by the regulations."
Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act, 2025, s. 2(1)
Why this matters: A corporation may be designated only if the corporation is incorporated under the Business Corporations Act — the same legal structure as private, for-profit companies.
"Once a water and wastewater public corporation has been designated, the municipalities shall provide water and sewage services only through that water and wastewater public corporation."
s. 3
Why this matters: Municipalities lose direct control. They cannot operate their own water systems once a corporation is designated.
"The designated corporation can impose and collect fees or charges for services, have fees added to municipal tax rolls if unpaid, and prepare rate plans for Minister approval."
s. 5-7
Why this matters: Corporations set their own rates with only regulatory oversight. Financial control shifts from public to corporate hands.
"The shares and dividends, if any, of a water and wastewater public corporation shall be issued in accordance with the regulations. A water and wastewater public corporation is not an agent of the Crown."
s. 9, s. 12
Why this matters: The law permits share issuance and dividends — features of profit-oriented corporations. No guarantee of public ownership or accountability.
How Bill 60 enables corporate control of water
Although called a "public corporation," the requirement that entities be incorporated under the Business Corporations Act means they are legally the same form as private companies — with potential for profit-oriented structures, share issuance, and dividends.
Once designated, municipalities must deliver water exclusively through these corporations and no longer operate systems directly themselves — shifting control from elected councils to corporate boards and provincial regulations.
Many critical details — including corporate governance, rate controls, board appointments, and limits on profits — are left to future regulations, meaning protections aren't locked into statute and can be changed without legislative debate.
This creates a formal framework for commercialization, even if the government claims privatization isn't the intent. The corporate model enables profit incentives and reduced public accountability, opening the door to full privatization.
Bill 60 modernizes infrastructure and provides new financing tools
It doesn't privatize water; providers remain overseen by government
Details will be defined in regulations rather than statute
It enables corporate delivery of water services, weakening direct municipal control
Corporations formed under Business Corporations Act with powers to set rates, issue shares, and collect fees create a framework for commercialization
Uncertainty increases risk of pro-profit outcomes and fewer legal safeguards for affordability and public accountability
This Is Privatization (Americanization)
Bill 60's Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act doesn't explicitly privatize water services, but its language permits delivery through corporations incorporated under the same legal regime as private companies, with financial autonomy and fee-setting powers. This structure — coupled with governance rules left to regulation — opens the door to water privatization in Ontario.
What happens when water becomes a corporate commodity
Elected municipal councils lose direct authority over water systems. Decisions shift from public accountability to corporate boards.
Corporations can set their own rates with only regulatory oversight. History shows privatized water systems lead to higher costs for residents.
The corporate structure enables profit incentives. Shareholders and dividends can take priority over affordability and service quality.
The law states these corporations are not agents of the Crown — meaning they operate outside the same accountability rules as public institutions. Governance details are left to regulations.
Once water systems are transferred to corporations, returning to public control becomes extremely difficult and costly.
Water privatization has failed in communities worldwide, leading to service cuts, higher costs, and public health concerns.
Water is a human right, not a corporate commodity.
Once water systems are privatized, communities lose control, costs rise, and service quality often declines. This is a pattern we've seen around the world — and it's a pattern Bill 60 enables in Ontario.
Tell your MPP that water is a human right, not a corporate commodity