Council has expressed interest in learning more about the Province’s proposed Water/Wastewater Public Corporation (WWPC) model—but no changes have been approved.
At Innisfil’s Town Council meeting on Wednesday, June 24, Council was asked to “endorse the decision made by the InnServices Board of Directors and authorize the submission of an expression of interest, indicating a conditional interest in exploring the WWPC model, subject to further provincial consultation.”
So, what does that mean?
Council unanimously agreed to indicate a “conditional interest.” Nothing is changing at this time. However, if the Town were to participate in a future WWPC, governance of the water and wastewater system would be subject to the framework established by the Province. Several members of Council raised questions about how much local control would remain.
Unlike most Ontario municipalities, which operate water and wastewater through a municipal department, Innisfil has delivered those services through the municipally owned InnServices Utilities Inc. since 2016. Mayor Lynn Dollin said that is one reason the Province is seeking the Town’s input as it explores a broader public corporation model.
How does Innisfil’s current system work?
The InnServices About Us page notes that “On January 1, 2016, the Town transferred the water and wastewater assets, including two water pollution control plants, one surface water treatment plant, municipal wells and the associated collection and distribution systems to InnServices.”
The same page notes that the Council continues to set water and wastewater rates, but the Municipal Services Corporation (MSC) is not constrained by the same regulations that limit how much a municipality can borrow (this was important, as the municipality was limited to borrowing no more than $60 million). This gave the Town greater flexibility to finance major water and wastewater infrastructure needed to support future growth.
What is a WWPC, and why is the Province of Ontario interested in Innisfil?
Mayor Lynn Dollin explained that “The Province is seeking us out… We are ahead of the curve…” since the Town of Innisfil operates InnServices Utilities Inc. as an MSC, while the vast majority of municipalities do not.
She further explained that other municipalities operate water and wastewater as a department of the municipality, but the Province is interested in learning about the Town’s challenges and experiences with InnServices, and Council wants to be able to share “experiences and our expertise.” (Watch Mayor Dollin’s comments here.)
Indeed, the provincial government published a proposal on April 15 (which will expire on August 13, 2026) that states, “…the Ministry is inviting municipalities with a potential interest in locally implementing a water and wastewater public corporation to make a submission expressing their interest in this model. This input will help the Ministry determine next steps and support potential future expansion.”
Deputy Mayor Kenneth Fowler expressed concerns, as the WWPC Act would give the Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing “broad powers.”
According to Fowler, “In simple terms, once in the model, the ability to exit and negotiate the fundamental governance, terms are limited. We’re actually going into something that the government can come and go, ‘This is now ours.'”
“I don’t like it,” he continued, noting among other things that the rates under a provincial framework may not align with the Innisfil taxpayers’ interests. (You can watch the full discussion here.)
What happens now?
Since the Province is asking municipalities whether they are interested in the model, CAO Oliver Jerschow said that although the Province would retain legislative authority under the proposed Act if the Town proceeds, participating in the conversation may help mitigate some of that risk. The Town can discuss how it would want to participate, which would “very likely” be brought to Council for their decision at a later date.
Jerschow reminded Council and community members that this is still just a consultation, but it’s best to be part of the conversation so the Town can influence what this proposed change may look like in Simcoe County.
“I like the idea of being informed of what we’re getting ourselves into with any potential exit strategies, or lack thereof,” Fowler said.
Coun. Alex Waters noted that the provincial government can come in and do what it wants at any time.
“We’re trying to be proactive… to be part of the solution,” he said. “It’s good to move forward, as long as there’s an opportunity for Council to vote on it later on,” Waters added.
Council voted unanimously to submit an expression of interest, allowing the Town to participate in provincial discussions while reserving the opportunity to decide later whether to pursue a WWPC if a formal proposal is developed.
The next regularly scheduled Council meeting in Innisfil, ON, is on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 7 pm.
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