Plan to merge conservation authorities draws concern along Grand River watershed

The province has changed its plan to merge conservation authorities, but as CTV’s Spencer Turcotte reports, there are still local concerns.

The Ontario government is moving ahead with a plan to consolidate conservation authorities across the province, reducing the current 36 agencies to nine regional bodies under a new centralized system.

The plan revises an earlier proposal that would’ve cut the system to seven conservation authorities.

Environment Minister Todd McCarthy said the changes are aimed at improving consistency and speeding up approvals for permits tied to development, infrastructure and agriculture.

“Ontario currently has a fragmented system of conservation authorities,” McCarthy said during a news conference on Tuesday.

Under the proposal, the nine regional authorities would operate under a new central agency called the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency.

McCarthy said the new structure will strengthen watershed management while maintaining local expertise.

“It would mean stronger flood resilience, clearer processes for municipalities and permit applicants, and better support for housing and infrastructure projects,” he said.

The government said the current system includes different standards, fees and administrative practices between conservation authorities, leading to delays and uncertainty for landowners and builders.

Locally, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) will merge with three other agencies to form the Eastern Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority. Those are the Catfish Creek, Kettle Creek and Long Point Region Conservation Authorities.

The province’s original proposal would have grouped the GRCA with a much larger portion of southwestern Ontario stretching as far west as Windsor.

Officials have also said there will be no reductions in staffing levels and that local expertise will remain central to conservation work.

“It’s just reckless...”

Despite the adjustment, critics said the consolidation still raises concerns about local control.

Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said dismantling the existing system could undermine watershed protection.

“It’s just reckless on the part of the province to dismantle conservation authorities in the way they’re doing it,” Schreiner said.

He warned the move could reduce the ability of local experts to respond to flooding and environmental risks.

“What’s at stake is the ability for people on the ground who live locally, who understand this watershed to be able to make decisions to protect our homes, our property, our communities, people’s lives and livelihood from flooding,” he said.

“...they are not really listening to municipalities”

Municipal leaders have also questioned how the changes were introduced.

Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe said municipalities were not adequately consulted before the announcement.

“The preference is to come and talk to us first, rather than just force these changes upon us and forcing us to constantly react,” McCabe said.

She added the changes are particularly concerning considering municipalities pay the majority of conservation authority operating costs. But the province now says they will provide $3 million annually, in addition to the $20 million provided in the fall to set up the new centralized agency.

Still, McCabe said it would’ve gone a long way if the province had this discussion with municipalities before their mind was made up.

“It’s another way the province is demonstrating that they are not really listening to municipalities,” she says.

Despite the concerns, the province says the consolidation process will begin this spring and is expected to be completed by early 2027.