Renowned environmentalist and activist David Suzuki expressed his concerns on Wednesday regarding mayoral candidate Brad Braford’s proposal for managing Toronto’s water, emphasizing that essential resources like water should not be exploited for profit.
Braford’s plan entails reducing water bills by transforming Toronto Water into a municipal corporation similar to Toronto Hydro. This move would allow the corporation to take on debt for infrastructure projects, rather than relying solely on water bill revenue, which critics fear may pave the way for privatization and eventual price hikes.
Speaking at a press conference for Braford’s opponent Olivia Chow, Suzuki denounced the notion of potentially privatizing water, stating, “Water is priceless and should be treated as sacred.” He urged people to safeguard water as a vital resource rather than viewing it as a financial asset.
Highlighting the significance of clean air, water, soil, and solar energy for human survival, Suzuki emphasized that these elements should be cherished and protected, not exploited for profit.
Chow raised concerns that Braford’s proposal could surrender control of water to the government, potentially leading to increased water prices and loss of pricing authority for the City of Toronto. However, Braford’s spokesperson countered these claims, asserting that provincial laws prohibit private ownership of Toronto’s water and that the plan aims to enhance water infrastructure without privatization.
Emphasizing the importance of maintaining public control over water resources, concerns were voiced about the potential impact on vulnerable groups if water prices were to rise under Braford’s plan. Chow cited past failures of water privatization in other cities as cautionary examples to consider.
Suzuki criticized the focus on profiting from essential resources like water, asserting that public officials should prioritize the well-being of citizens over financial gain.
Keyphrase: Toronto water management
