AMO Responds to Introduction of Safe Drinking Water Act in Canada

Municipal governments have been anxious about this piece of legislation and how the government's policy proposals, as posted on the EBR for 30-day comment, have been incorporated into the legislation. As the owners/operators of many water systems in Ontario, the legislation is expected to have significant implications for municipalities across the water delivery regime--impacting the cost to deliver water, oversight accountability and liability. Having clear rules and an effective regulatory regime that contributes to public confidence in their water is AMO's goal. We will work with the Province to get the rules right and to ensure that there are not unintended impacts like those we have seen as a result of Regulation 459/00, among other matters," said AMO President Ken Boshcoff.

AMO has repeatedly asked the Province to review Regulation 459/00 to allow water treatment and monitoring variances - to seek relief from the frequency of testing where the testing evidence indicates that there are no adverse results. We understand that this review is being planned, and we are looking forward to proposals from the government as soon as possible.

"This legislation, along with the full cost recovery legislation (Bill 175) and the regulations under the Nutrient Management Act will have a tremendous impact and we need the government to commit to helping us deal with the financial outfall from the changes in the regulatory regime that affects water delivery to our communities and citizens," said Boshcoff. "We know that Commissioner O'Connor's cost analysis did not include the testing regime or the capital improvements to treatment and distribution systems--costs that are estimated in the billions. Again we call on the Province to share its ideas for a financing strategy for the water and sewer infrastructure deficit."

AMO is most anxious about how the proposals for the transfer of the operation or ownership of private water systems to a municipality have been reflected in the legislation. Boshcoff said, "There are thousands of private water systems and we will be looking very carefully at how the legislation deals with this issue. The legislation must clearly protect municipal governments from the financial exposure and liability risk when it comes to private water systems."

AMO will be sitting down with the government to get a better understanding of the Bill as introduced and is prepared to work with the Minister to ensure the legislation works effectively and without undue added cost to taxpayers.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is a non-profit organization with member municipalities representing 98 per cent of Ontario's population. AMO supports and enhances strong and effective municipal government in Ontario and promotes the value of municipal government as a vital and essential component of Ontario and Canada's political system.

Source: AMO