Petition by RFK Jr. fan prompts Montreal council to end water fluoridation

Municipal authorities in Montreal have decided to discontinue water fluoridation on the Island of Montreal following a resident-led petition, which claimed support from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This decision affects six suburbs in Montreal's West Island that have fluoridated their water since the 1950s.

The city’s water department had earlier recommended halting fluoridation, citing costs, despite public health experts advocating for its benefits in reducing tooth decay. However, suburban mayors criticized the decision, arguing it was made without proper consultation and lacked democratic process.

Montreal city councillor Maja Vodanovic defended the move, stating the aim is to provide a uniform water supply across the island. "The City of Montreal took this decision to be coherent," Vodanovic said. "We're doing it in the best interest of all."

Petition and Public Reaction

The push to end fluoridation began in 2020 when resident Ray Coelho initiated a petition. According to Coelho, Kennedy offered moral support during his campaign and congratulated him after the city’s intentions became public. "He gave me moral support, which is good," Coelho said.

Coelho, a student at Concordia University, expressed satisfaction with the council’s decision, saying, "I'm very happy. It's great, I can put my energy and time towards other things."

Kennedy, a vocal critic of vaccination and fluoride use, has described fluoride as an "industrial waste" linked to health issues and indicated plans to remove it from public water supplies in the U.S. under his role in the Trump administration.

Concerns Over Transparency

Mayors of the affected suburbs voiced strong opposition to the decision-making process. Heidi Ektvedt, mayor of Baie d'Urfé, questioned the credibility of the petition and its influence on municipal decisions. "I really question what type of due diligence Montreal does when they receive petitions," she said, describing Coelho's stance as being inspired by conspiracy theories. Residents in her community, she added, are "furious" about the city’s plan.

Georges Bourelle, mayor of Beaconsfield, labeled Coelho a "far-right extremist" and dismissed the petition’s credibility. "None of the affected communities, including Beaconsfield, has ever requested that fluoride be removed from its water," he stated, criticizing the council's process as undemocratic and disrespectful to the suburbs.

The water department’s report cited financial concerns, estimating annual fluoridation costs at $100,000 for the two plants serving about 5% of the island’s population. It also noted recent supply chain issues for fluoridation products and health risks for workers handling the chemicals. Vodanovic further explained that only 1% of potable water is consumed as drinking water, making fluoridation of the entire supply inefficient. "We don't think that something like fluoride should be put in 100 per cent of the water," she said.

Expert Opinions and Broader Context

The report acknowledged that major health organizations, including the World Health Organization and Health Canada, endorse water fluoridation for its health benefits. Montreal's regional public health directorate also supported continuing the practice. However, the water department deemed health-related decisions outside its expertise.

Critics argue that the suburbs, with limited voting power on the council, were excluded from meaningful participation in the decision. Bourelle described the process as "a flagrant example of abuse of power by the majority at the agglomeration council."

The decision marks a significant policy shift, reflecting broader debates about water fluoridation’s role in public health and the weight of community input in municipal governance.