Project Update (July 2026)

On June 16 2026, staff presented Council with a report recommending an endorsement in principle for a public Municipal Services Corporation for Water & Wastewater Services for the City of Kingston. The report also recommended next steps for the development of a draft shareholder declaration which would require future Council approval.

Council passed the following:

That Council endorse a Water & Wastewater Public Municipal Services Corporation model for its water and wastewater services; and

That Council direct staff to work with Utilities Kingston to draft a shareholder declaration which will include information on board composition, governance and corporate structure, financial parameters and reporting requirements.

That Council reject any form of privatization of the City-owned water and wastewater assets and services and reaffirm its unwavering commitment to the 100% public ownership of said assets and services.

That Council direct staff to ensure that the following requirements are included in the future shareholder declaration, which will require council endorsement:

  • That the composition of the Board of Directors for the MSC must contain:
    • The Mayor
    • A member of Council
    • A minimum of 4 members from the public as determined through an open, public and transparent process.
  • That public reports on operations and financial information, in a form determined by the City's Chief Financial Officer, be prepared and publicly presented to Council on a quarterly basis.

That Council direct staff to bring a report to Administrative Policies Committee in Q2 2027 with the proposed draft of the Water and Wastewater Municipal Services Corporation shareholder declaration for public consultation.

Next Steps

The process for the implementation of a public municipal service corporation includes at least two future additional City Council decision points including a shareholder declaration and asset transfer.

Staff will draft a shareholder declaration which would outline financial parameters as well as a reporting framework, subject to City Council approval. The draft declaration is anticipated to be presented to the Administrative Policies Committee in Q2 2027.