Some dates for democracy!
Water and Wastewater Municipal Services Corporation at Council this Tuesday
Hello Again! We realize as No Clearcuts Kingston that our mandate is to protect nature, especially trees and wetlands. However, we feel that City Hall’s push to move the control of our water and waste water from Utilities Kingston to a Municipal Services Corporation (MSC) is relevant.
It’s about how we care for our water resources - whether it’s what we drink or what we flush away. And the care and control of our water impacts the environment.
On Tuesday, June 16, City Council will be asked to endorse the transfer of powers from our public utility, Utilities Kingston, to the MSC.
We invite you to join us Tuesday afternoon for this important event:
Stop the Sneaky Deal-Making!
Council must vote NO to the MSC!
Please join the NO MSC info picket Tuesday.
City Hall, 4:30 to 7 (start of Council meeting)
Bring placards expressing your concerns. Help hand out info. Invite others. The public needs to know what’s at stake.
From a former councillor - “The issue I see is that Utilities Kingston, with 3 utilities (Hydro, Water and Gas), has been resilient from being taken over. Meaning the systems are all intertwined for billing such that no independent utility like Hydro One or Enbridge will attempt to take on their respective business. However, if the city separates water and sewer, suddenly Enbridge will be interested in the Gas assets (worth about $30m). And Hydro One would want the hole in their donut of service. This is the plan. Split off and sell the public assets. This is very dangerous. It is a bad idea. I remember Walkerton very well.”
Please write to mayor&council@cityofkingston.ca, copying cityclerk@cityofkingston.ca if you oppose the transfer or feel that the vote on such a big change is being rushed.
And, please attend the Council meeting at 7 pm. Here is the Coalition of Kingston Communities’ media release explaining why they are concerned - click here.
Municipal Elections require Strong Councillors!
We will have the chance to elect a knowledgable and independant new Council in October this year. A single Councillor attended Earth Fest last Saturday, epitomizing the apathy of many of our elected representatives.
We encourage you to spread the word amongst you friends and coworkers to consider running for Council. Kingston prides itself in being the first municipality to declare we are in a climate crisis. Further, our combined voices helped to postpone the Official Plan update for a year, until all the supporting studies, including the Natural Heritage Schedule and the perceived need for urban boundary expansion into woodland and wetland, are completed.
A new Council will have ‘fresh eyes’ to look at the completed studies underpinning the draft Official Plan!
Stately Oaks under the saw at Lenox and Addingston County Council June 24th
Under the guise of road safety, these mature oaks are threatened to be removed. The inevitable result would be the manufacture of a raceway, increasing highspeed and dangerous driving!
County Council will be discussing the future of these magnificant trees. Almost 1500 people have signed the pettion to save them. They encourage people to attend the meeting to support saving these mature trees.
📅 Wednesday, June 24, 2026
🕡 6:30 p.m.
📍 County Courthouse, 97 Thomas Street East, Napanee
If you can’t get to the council meeting, please sign the petition, which will be presented there - click here.
"However, if the city separates water and sewer, suddenly Enbridge will be interested in the Gas assets (worth about $30m). And Hydro One would want the hole in their donut of service."