Legal Opinion Challenges Ontario’s Bill 60, Exposes Water Privatization Risks — Canadian Union of Public Employees

Event summary

CUPE Ontario and the Ontario NDP released a legal opinion from Goldblatt Partners LLP on March 13, 2026, challenging Bill 60's claims regarding water privatization.
The opinion concludes that Bill 60 does not guarantee public ownership of water and wastewater corporations, contrary to government statements.
Simon Archer of Goldblatt Partners noted the term 'municipal service corporations' is absent from the legislation, undermining claims of public control.
CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn warned that decisions about water systems could shift from public safety to profit motives under Bill 60.

The big picture

Bill 60 represents a broader trend of governments embedding privatization measures in omnibus legislation, often bypassing public scrutiny. The legal opinion underscores the risks of corporate control over essential services like water, which could shift decision-making from public safety to profitability. This dynamic mirrors past efforts to corporatize municipal infrastructure, raising concerns about long-term accountability and affordability.

What we're watching

Regulatory Pushback: Whether Ontario’s government will amend Bill 60 in response to the legal opinion and public opposition.
Public Trust Erosion: How the perceived lack of transparency in Bill 60 affects public confidence in municipal services.
Legal Challenges Ahead: The likelihood of further legal action or political pressure to block water privatization efforts.