A proposal to approve regional consolidation of Ontario’s conservation authorities has come as a bit of a surprise and concern to representatives of local conservation organizations.
In recent weeks, the province has tabled Bill 68 (Protect Ontario Act), which proposes to change the Conservation Authority Act to create a provisional Ontario agency with seven Conservation Authorities in various boundaries.
In tabling the legislation, the province says the current system of 36 separate conservation authorities is ‘fragmented, with each conservation authority following different policies, standards, fees and levels of staffing and technical capabilities.
“This has led to unpredictable and inconsistent turnaround times for approvals across all conservation authorities, creating uncertainty and delays for builders, landowners and farmers seeking permits, and undermining conservation authorities’ ability to protect communities from floods and natural hazards,” the proposal summarized.
The bill has already passed first reading.
If it passes through the legislature before it recesses for the Christmas break, Quinte Conservation and Lower Trent Conservation would be absorbed in the Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority with five other organizations.
The new regional organization covers a 28,000 square kilometre-plus district with more than 50 municipalities.
“The geography of that is unmanageable in terms of providing local grassroots services and programs that our watershed residents rely on,” QC CAO Brad McNevin said.
“We work closely with our municipal partners to deliver these programs and services and having that large of an area, the impact will be felt locally, for sure.”
This merger would also require a rebrand that McNevin said would be expensive.
“This would be an opportunity for us to accomplish what the government wants, and that’s a streamlined permitting for development, getting those shovels in the ground faster,” he explained.”
“The problem with some of the language around that, is that for the Quinte region, our average is 14 days to issue a permit that’s well under the provincial guidelines, which are 30 and 90 days, depending on the type of permit. We’re well under that time frame to issue permits, so what are we trying to accomplish by doing this big consolidation?”
McNevin added protecting local expertise on the watersheds at home is something that is imperative.
“We want people to get out and talk to their MPPs and ask about these changes, and ask them, why are they making these changes? If their intent is to absolutely make changes, then we want to help them make it right.
Photo: Lower Trent Conservation/submitted
Meanwhile, Lower Trent Conservation CAO Rhonda Bateman said there is still lots to determine before they can give a definitive answer on how it will impact their operations.
“Right now, there’s not enough information to say how things are going to change, so basically, the operations that we do now will continue as usual until the end of 2026,” she explained.
“As an organization, we’re committed to deliver the programs and services that we have, and especially those that we have under agreement with our member municipalities and other partners. There’s lots of work going on, and that work will continue.”
LTC officials say currently, local municipalities provide just over 58-per cent of LTC’s operating funding, with provincial contributions making up only 2.3-per cent in flood forecasting and warning program funding and 12.5-per cent for the local and regional Drinking Water Source Protection program, a small share of the annual budget.
Under a large regional model, they say local municipalities and watershed residents risk losing their voice in decisions that directly affect their communities and local natural resources.
“This shift could significantly alter how these essential services are delivered, funded, and prioritized, placing at risk the locally driven programs and services that have supported the health and safety of our communities for more than 50 years.
At Belleville Council on Monday, Coun. Kathryn Brown put forward a resolution to the rest of the horseshoe to oppose the province’s proposal that was unanimously approved.
That resolution will be sent to local MPPs Tyler Allsopp and Ric Bresee.
Along with delivering programs and services, Ontario’s current 36 conservation authorities play a vital role in watershed management and protecting communities from natural hazards like floods.
Residents can have their say on these proposed changes at this link until December 22.
