Port Colborne Exploring Affordable Water, Wastewater Options

At their meeting on April 28, 2026, Port Colborne City Council approved next steps to explore how the City can address high water and wastewater rates, reduce duplication between the City and Niagara Region, and improve long-term affordability for residents. 

City Council received an update on ongoing governance discussions across Niagara and approved a series of actions to further explore ways to reduce duplication and control costs for residents, including the potential creation of a City-owned municipal services corporation. 

Allowed under the Municipal Act, a municipal services corporation is a municipally owned organization responsible for managing services such as water and wastewater – similar to other public service models already in place across Ontario. If implemented, the model would keep services publicly owned and locally controlled, while creating opportunities for greater efficiency and more stable rates for water and wastewater in Port Colborne. 

Responding to community input 

The decision follows a recent community engagement process that gathered feedback from residents on governance in Niagara following a proposal brought forward by the former Niagara Regional Chair. Through surveys, open houses, and written submissions, Port Colborne residents consistently expressed that: 

“Duplication in how water and wastewater services are currently being delivered between the City and the Region, and the Region’s current billing practices, are contributing to higher costs for Port Colborne residents,” said Mayor Bill Steele. “In light of broader governance discussions and new tools the province has introduced, we are looking at whether a larger, city-wide, publicly owned model – such as a municipal services corporation – could help stabilize and even reduce water rates for Port Colborne residents, while reducing duplication and improving coordination and efficiency.”  

What Council approved 

City Council has directed staff to begin the next phase of this work, including: 

“This is early-stage work, and Council hasn’t made any formal decisions at this point,” said Chief Administrative Officer, Bryan Boles. “There is still a great deal to assess, and we know residents and staff will have questions. Our focus now will be to determine if this option will indeed help us lower and stabilize water and wastewater rates, and to engage the community to hear their thoughts throughout the process. It’s also important to note that a key principle of this work is maintaining public ownership of these assets, and within that, ensuring continuity for employees – continuing in the same roles, in the same facilities.” 

What is a City-owned Municipal Services Corporation 

A City-owned municipal services corporation is a separate organization created and fully owned by a municipality to deliver specific public services or manage infrastructure. It operates with a business-like structure but remains publicly owned and accountable to City Council. Council would approve a Board of Directors, similar to how they currently approve a Board for the Public Library. 

In Port Colborne, a City-owned municipal services corporation is being explored as a potential model to own and operate water and wastewater infrastructure locally, while maintaining public ownership, local control, and strong oversight. 

Potential benefits of a municipal services corporation 

While still under review, a City-owned municipal services corporation could help address key priorities identified by the community, including: 

These potential benefits will be fully evaluated through the development of a comprehensive business case, along with continued community engagement, before any decisions are made. Details on community engagement opportunities will be shared in the coming weeks.