{
  "id": 15912602,
  "title": "‘That’s crazy’: Legendary environmentalist David Suzuki speaks out against Braford’s plan for Toronto’s water",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/thats-crazy-legendary-environmentalist-david-suzuki-speaks-out",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T16:17:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CityNews",
    "slug": "citynews",
    "url": "https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/10/21/thats-crazy-legendary-environmentalist-david-suzuki-speaks-out-against-brafords-plan-for-torontos-water/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Renowned environmentalist David Suzuki has criticized mayoral candidate Brad Braford’s proposed plan for managing Toronto's water supply, arguing that it could lead to privatization and ultimately higher water prices. Braford's plan involves converting Toronto Water into a municipal corporation like Toronto Hydro, which could then take on debt to fund infrastructure projects instead of relying solely on water bill revenue. Critics, including environmentalist Suzuki, contend that this move would open the door to privatization and exploitation of a vital public resource. Suzuki, speaking at a press conference in support of Braford's opponent Olivia Chow, warned that the plan is \"crazy\" and that water should be treated as priceless and sacred, not a source of profit. Chow claims that Braford's plan would hand control of water over to the Ford government and the provincial government, stripping Toronto of its ability to control prices and pricing decisions. The provincial Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act prohibits private ownership of Toronto's water, meaning that shares in the municipal corporation can only be held by the municipality, the province, or the federal government. Despite these claims, Braford insists that his plan cannot lead to privatization, citing provincial law and municipal bylaws to ensure the City remains the sole shareholder. Critics remain skeptical, arguing that Braford's plan could lead to increased water prices, particularly affecting seniors on fixed incomes and other vulnerable groups.",
  "summary": "World renowned environmentalist and activist David Suzuki spoke out Wednesday about mayoral candidate Brad Braford’s plan for Toronto’s water and how it is managed, saying a fundamental need should not be seen as an avenue to make money. Bradford’s plan involves lowering water bills while making Toronto Water a municipal corporation, like Toronto Hydro, which […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Environmentalist David Suzuki criticizes Braford's water plan",
    "Plan could lead to privatization and higher water prices",
    "Suzuki calls plan \"crazy\" and water priceless"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}