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Creating Government Business Enterprises in Port Colborne

The City of Port Colborne is exploring an innovative way to deliver essential infrastructure and support economic growth without placing additional pressure on taxpayers or water ratepayers.

City Council is considering the establishment of two Government Business Enterprises. If approved, the Government Business Enterprises would be responsible for constructing, maintaining and owning the water, wastewater and potentially other infrastructure serving the East Side Employment Lands district, which includes both current and future industrial developments as well as the Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Canada site. The Government Business Enterprises will help ensure the infrastructure needed to support economic growth is managed effectively and sustainably.

Government Business Enterprises operate at arm’s length from the municipality, giving cities more flexibility to manage and invest in critical infrastructure while ensuring strategic oversight remains with Council. This model has been successfully used by several municipalities across Ontario to finance and manage major projects without relying on property taxpayers or water ratepayers.

This structure would enable the City to secure financing separate from its core finances, helping to deliver infrastructure projects without direct impacts on the municipal tax base or water/wastewater rates.

If you have questions or challenges completing the survey, please connect with us at communityengagement@portcolborne.ca or 905-835-2900 and we'll be happy to help.

Survey closes November 12, 2025.

Thank you for your participation!
1.Where do you live?
2.Before today, how familiar were you with the concept of a Government Business Enterprise?
3.Using the Government Business Enterprise structure would allow the City to secure financing separate from its core finances, helping to deliver infrastructure projects without direct impacts on the municipal tax base or water/wastewater rates.

Do you support the idea of the City establishing Government Business Enterprises to help fund and deliver major infrastructure projects (such as water and wastewater servicing for the East Side Employment Lands)?
4.Which of the following factors are most important to you when the City makes decisions about how to fund and deliver infrastructure? (select all that apply)
5.If approved, the Government Business Enterprises would be responsible for constructing, maintaining and owning the water, wastewater and potentially other infrastructure serving the East Side Employment Lands district, which includes both current and future industrial developments as well as the Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Canada site. The Government Business Enterprises will help ensure the infrastructure needed to support economic growth is managed effectively and sustainably. How comfortable are you with the City using a separate legal entity (the Government Business Enterprise) to deliver and finance major infrastructure projects?
6.If strong oversight measures are in place (e.g., Council-appointed board, annual reporting, financial transparency), how much confidence would you have in the City’s ability to maintain public control of the Government Business Enterprise?
7.The Government Business Enterprise structure would enable the City to secure financing separate from its core finances, and it will allow the City to deliver infrastructure projects without direct impacts on the municipal tax base or water/wastewater rates.

What other potential benefits do you see from creating Government Business Enterprise in Port Colborne? (select all that apply)
8.Do you have any concerns, questions, or issues you would like Council to consider before making a decision about establishing Government Business Enterprise?
9.Is there anything else you’d like to share about your thoughts related to establishing Government Business Enterprises in Port Colborne?
10.Please select your age range