Budget Chief Shelley Carroll defended the proposed increases as necessary to help maintain the city's water system. "The water rate is inching up, but it's to avoid debt, and it's to do very important work across the city." Carroll emphasized the importance of these increases in the context of significant capital work required for sewer upgrades and flood mitigation, especially amid increasing extreme weather events. Without these adjustments, essential infrastructure projects could be jeopardized.
City staff indicated that "inflationary increases ... such as costs of labour, energy, utilities and materials" necessitate the rate hike. The proposal includes hikes not only for water services but also for solid waste management, ensuring the city can continue to provide essential services despite rising operational costs.
Carroll pointed out that residents most affected by flooding urgently support the rate increase: "If you're talking to someone who badly needs Toronto Water to get on with the basement flooding mitigation work in their neighborhood, they will say, 'yes, we need to do this.'" This statement underscores the community's recognition of the necessity for infrastructural investment.
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