Montreal says no to water fluoridation

Lachine Mayor and member of Projet Montreal Maja Vodanovic said the city will not reopen the debate on water fluoridation.

The City of Montreal, which dominates the agglomeration council, already voted to end fluoridation on Tuesday. Mayors of de-merged municipalities wanted to expand fluoridation, but were shut down at a council meeting representing Montreal and the suburban municipalities on the island.

Concerned citizens took the mic, saying their water has had fluoride for decades and that they don't want it removed "just because the rest of Montreal is removing it."

The topic took up most of the Montreal Agglomeration Council's meeting. 

Though public health officials say fluoridation is an effective way to reduce tooth decay, the city's water department recommended the practice be stopped, partly to save on costs. Only two of Montreal’s six water treatment plants use fluoride, in Dorval and Pointe-Claire, which serve the West Island. One other municipality in Quebec puts fluoride in its water.