Survey: Stabilizing Water & Wastewater Rates in Port Colborne through a Municipal Services Corporation

City of Port Colborne residents currently pay some of the highest water and wastewater rates of anywhere in Ontario and the highest in Niagara Region. For years residents have cited this as a top concern, and now the City is exploring ways to stabilize residents’ water and wastewater rates.

One option being considered is a Municipal Services Corporation. A Municipal Services Corporation is a corporation wholly owned by a municipality that can be used to maintain and deliver municipal services and infrastructure. Municipal Services Corporations are commonly used across Ontario, such as in municipalities like Innisfil and Collingwood, to manage and deliver services such as water and wastewater, energy, broadband and economic development initiatives.

Port Colborne’s water and wastewater infrastructure is old and in need of repair or replacement. A Municipal Services Corporation would manage City-owned water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and would create a structure that falls under different rules and regulations for borrowing capital and would enable the City to secure the funding it needs to address these infrastructure deficiencies.

This survey seeks your feedback on this potential opportunity.

This survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Responses are anonymous. A summary of the feedback collected will be shared publicly through a report to City Council.

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.

1.What is your connection to Port Colborne? (select all that apply)

I am a full-time resident of Port Colborne

I am a seasonal resident of Port Colborne (less than 6 months per year)

I own a business in Port Colborne

I work in Port Colborne

I have other meaningful ties to Port Colborne

I live somewhere else in Niagara

Other (please specify)

Prefer not to say

2.Before taking this survey, were you aware of Municipal Services Corporations and that they are already used by municipalities across Ontario to deliver public services? (i.e. water, wastewater, energy, broadband, etc.)

Yes

No

3.How concerned are you with water and wastewater rates in Port Colborne?

Very concerned

Somewhat concerned

Not very concerned

Not at all concerned

4.How satisfied are you with the current governance, management and delivery of water and wastewater services in Port Colborne?

5.What factors are most important to you when evaluating water and wastewater services? (select up to three)(Required.)

6.If a Municipal Services Corporation could help stabilize water and wastewater rates while maintaining service quality, how supportive would you be of exploring this option?

7.If strong oversight measures are in place (e.g., Council-appointed board, annual reporting, financial transparency), how confident are you that the City can effectively manage water and wastewater services through a Municipal Services Corporation?

8.Would you support the creation of a Municipal Services Corporation for water and wastewater services if existing employees were unaffected and retained their jobs and full compensation?

9.Which of the following potential benefits of a Municipal Services Corporation are most important to you? (select up to three)(Required.)

Stabilized water and wastewater rates

Greater local control and decision making

Greater fiscal borrowing capacity to address local infrastructure needs

Additional methods of financing

Long-term financial sustainability

City ownership of infrastructure

No potential benefits

Other (please provide more details)

10.What concerns would you have about transferring responsibility for water and wastewater services to a City-owned Municipal Services Corporation, noting there is no legal mechanism to privatize a Municipal Services Corporation? (select up to three)(Required.)

Other (please provide more details)

11.Based on the information provided, what is your overall level of support for the City to create a Municipal Services Corporation for local water and wastewater services?

12.Is there anything else you’d like to share about the potential creation of a Municipal Services corporation in Port Colborne?