Ontario conservation authorities reduced to 9 in 2027
The provincial government is moving ahead with plans to consolidate conservation authorities.
The existing 36 bodies will be merged into nine regional ones.
Environment, Conservation and Parks Minister Todd McCarthy says it will strengthen the watershed management.
“By consolidating into nine optimized regional conservation authorities, we can reduce administrative duplication while delivering consistent provincial standards, modern tools and strengthened capacity,” says McCarthy.
“It would mean stronger flood resilience, clearer processes for municipalities and permit applicants and better support for housing and infrastructure projects, all while maintaining the science-based decisions that people and businesses expect.”
A lone authority in northwestern Ontario, based in Thunder Bay, remains in place.
The province considered merging it with one in northeastern Ontario.
“We listened after initially proposing seven rather than six, and we’ve arrived at nine and very important changes from what we originally proposed based on those consultations,” says McCarthy.
“For example, Thunder Bay is going to be a standalone conservation authority separate from Lake Huron. We listened, we acted.”
McCarthy says the conservation authorities will continue to be independent, municipally governed organizations.
They will also continue to carry out provincially-mandated programs such as managing flooding and other natural hazards, drinking water source protection and the management of their lands and recreational trails.
A new agency established to oversee the consolidation of conservation authorities will remain.
McCarthy says the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency will now assist with the transition.
“It would lead consolidation and work to ensure that every conservation authority has the tools and the resources they need to deliver effective watershed management today and into the future,” says McCarthy.
“To support the agency’s work, our province is providing new additional funding of $3 million annually to OPCA beginning this year. During the transition, OPCA would use these funds to help conservation authorities transition to the new model.”
The new authorities to be in place early next year.
