On October 31, 2025, the Ontario Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks announced plans to create a provincial board-governed agency, the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency, to provide leadership, governance, and strategic direction to Conservation Authorities (CAs).

The Ministry has indicated that amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act (CAA) will be introduced to establish the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency.

In addition, the province will consult on proposed boundaries for regional consolidation of Conservation Authorities with impacted stakeholders, municipalities, CAs, and Indigenous communities.

This consultation will include a policy proposal notice period posted on the Environmental Registry of Ontario for 45 days, inviting review and comments on criteria applied to determine proposed regional boundaries and the proposed geographical jurisdiction of each regional CA.

In the question-and-answer portion of the announcement, Minister McCarthy indicated that job losses are not anticipated through this restructuring, although some positions may be redeployed.

In response to this announcement Conservation Ontario and local Conservation Authorities want to stress that:

• Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities will continue to operate without disruption to ensure the protection of public health and safety on a watershed basis. It’s business as usual for watershed protection and environmental services, including conservation areas and trails, source water protection, natural hazard management, watershed protection and management, stewardship programs, agricultural extension services, and education.
• Proposals are forthcoming and staff will be maintained.
• Conservation Ontario and Conservation Authorities are working with member Municipalities to review the proposal and provide comments during the consultation period. Conservation Ontario will have the opportunity to provide input on the proposal when it’s posted on the Environmental Registry of Ontario.
• Conservation Authorities appreciate the opportunity to be engaged during the provincial consultation and will provide feedback on the Government’s proposed framework.
• Conservation Authorities are prepared to coordinate expert resources and suggestions.
• CAs continue to deliver on their important local programs and services.
• Conservation Authorities are committed to watershed protection at the local level.
• CAs are committed to delivering programs and services we have under agreement with our member municipalities, and other partners.

 

Member municipalities and local media will be updated on this process as details become available.

Conservation Authorities deliver a range of services including natural hazard permitting and reviews, drinking water source protection, flood forecasting and warning, management of flood and erosion control infrastructure, low water response coordination, public access to conservation areas and trails, education, and implementation of restoration and resilience projects.

Conservation Ontario is the association of Ontario’s Conservation Authorities.

For more information:

MECP News Release
Ontario Creating New Conservation Authority Agency to Improve Service Delivery and Protect Communities | Ontario Newsroom

Maitland Conservation contact:
519-335-3557 ext. 231
pbeard@mvca.on.ca