This proposal represents the most significant change to Ontario’s environmental management system in 80 years.
The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (GRCA) has reviewed the Province of Ontario’s proposal to amend the Conservation Authorities Act and consolidate Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities into seven regional bodies overseen by a new provincial agency.
The GRCA does not support consolidation.
The GRCA has identified several key reasons for opposing the proposed changes in its submission to ERO 025-1257 (https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/025-1257). Perhaps most importantly, Conservation Authorities and municipalities were not consulted prior to the proposed regional consolidation.
Summary of the GRCA Position
- Consistent policies, and resources across the existing conservation authority boundaries can be achieved without structural consolidation through direction and tools such as technical guidelines provided by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks; or Conservation Ontario.
- Conservation authorities are locally-based, grassroots organizations formed by municipal governments in response to the challenges posed by a changing landscape; especially, the increased exposure to flooding and erosion hazards and the resulting risks to lives and property. GRCA has been supported by its seven municipalities, this vision has proven a successful model for nearly 80 years.
- There has been no cost-benefit analysis prepared by the province demonstrating the fact that if consolidation were to take place, there would be a cost benefit. Furthermore, conservation authorities and municipalities were not consulted about the proposed consolidation.
Several key factors were also identified in the ERO submission, available at the link below.
- Full GRCA ERO submission: https://grca.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ganaraska-region-conservation-authority_ero-025-1257-comments.pdf
- Letter from GRCA Board Chair: https://grca.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/grca_chair-letter-re-consolidations.pdf
- GRCA Media Release: https://grca.on.ca/media-releases/ganaraska-conservation-board-opposes-proposed-conservation-authority-consolidation/
The GRCA encourages all partners and concerned residents to review the posting at the following link (https://ero.ontario.calnotice/025-1257) and submit comments prior to the closing date of December 22, 2025.
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For additional information, please contact info@grca.on.ca or call 905.885.8173 during office hours, Mon.–Fri. from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.