Vaughan’s planned water, wastewater rate increases cancelled

Council also voted to defer the annual stormwater charge for 60 days

Yorkregion.com
April 1, 2020
Dina Al-Shibeeb

To help people cope from any financial squeeze brought on by COVID-19’s menacing businesses, Vaughan decided to cancel its planned 2020 water and wastewater rate increases, according to a published statement on March 30.

Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and council also voted to defer the annual stormwater charge for 60 days.

“This marks the latest in a series of actions taken by the city to support the community in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic,” the Vaughan website stated.

Council also called on York Region to cancel or defer the 2020 planned regional 9 per cent combined wholesale water and wastewater increases.

Regional costs for water and wastewater treatment account for approximately 75 per cent of the city’s annual costs for water and wastewater services, it added.

Citing the public staff report, the deferral of the stormwater charge will have minimal impact to the city’s fiscal position and stormwater reserves.

This year’s stormwater charge remains at the same rate as the 2019 charge, amounting to a zero-per-cent increase. Deferring the 2020 stormwater charge billing for 60 days will have minimal impact on the stormwater program, according to the report.