​Group voices concerns about proposed amalgamation of Conservation Authorities

A group of almost 75 people associated with Conservation Authorities in Ontario, has voiced concerns about the proposal to amalgamate the current 36 agencies into seven regional ones.

The group has sent a letter to Ontario premier Doug Ford and various provincial ministries, outlining these concerns and offering some historic context to Conservation Authorities in the province.

The letter was submitted by Larry Walton of Kincardine and makes for interesting reading.

It points out that the proposed restructuring lacks an evidence-based approach and business case. Its development was without input from those most affected by the changes - the Conservation Authorities and their member municipalities.

"To succeed, we believe a transformative initiative of this scale requires the effective and meaningful engagement of all partners throughout the process."

While the group welcomes the appointment of the province's chief conservation executive, June 27, 2025, and the creation of the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency (OPCA), Nov. 6, 2025, it believes that the proposed consolidation plan presents significant risks to the continuity and effectiveness of watershed management practices that have been carefully developed and refined over the past 80 years.

"We are deeply concerned that the loss of local expertise and the reduction of community representation in decision-making processes will undermine Ontario's ability to respond effectively to environmental challenges. Furthermore, the proposed restructuring may adversely impact collaborative relationships with municipalities, Indigenous communities, and local stakeholders who have played an essential role in shaping sustainable water resource strategies throughout the province."

The group's recommendations are as follows:
 

• Renew a collaborative and collegial governance relationship with municipalities and Conservation Authorities
• Reduce regulatory fragmentation
• Support efficient planning and permitting by updating provincial technical guidelines and shared service tools
• Pause the approval of the proposed regional consolidation
• Explore alternative, right-sized regional models
• Conduct a cost-benefit analysis and a business case/feasibility study
• Preserve local municipal governance and decision-making
• Protect and empower local conservation efforts
• Adhere to the principles of integrated watershed management
• Protect and enhance local hazard management capacity and continuity of infrastructure operations
• Enhance provincial investment required to support critical water and erosion control infrastructure
• Preserve locally-acquired assets
• Re-invest provincial funding in Conservation Authorities
• Preserve source-water protection areas and regions
• Fully fund transition costs by the province
• Fully fund the provincial conservation agency by the province

"We highly encourage the Government of Ontario to pause making rapid, drastic, costly and irreparable changes to the structure of Conservation Authorities," states the group. "Rather, we ask that provincial decision-makers carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of this proposal with input from Conservation Authorities, municipalities and other stakeholders.

"For effective hazard management and conservation improvements in Ontario, major changes must have the backing of those responsible for carrying them out. The safety and well-bring of Ontarians must come first."

To read the entire document, click here.



The proposed seven regional Conservation Authorities in Ontario