Massive Changes Proposed on the eve of the Conservation Authorities Act's 80th Anniversary听
For the latest news, go to our webpage on the Proposed Consolidation of Conservation Authorities
The provincial government has introduced legislation to amend the Conservation Authorities Act. If passed, the legislation will create the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency 鈥� a provincial, board-governed agency 鈥� to provide leadership, governance, strategic direction, and oversight of Ontario's conservation authorities.听
The Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and the Chief Conservation Executive, who will lead the new agency, have also announced plans to consolidate the province's 36 conservation authorities into seven regional conservation authorities.听
The 糖心直播 (UTRCA) would become part of the proposed Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority. The new regional conservation authority would amalgamate eight existing conservation authorities 鈥� Catfish Creek, Essex Region, Grand River, Kettle Creek, Long Point Region, Lower Thames Valley, St. Clair Region, and Upper Thames River.听
The new Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority would include 81 municipalities. The eight individual Boards of Directors of the existing conservation authorities, made up of local municipal representatives, would be replaced by a new, yet to be determined municipal governance structure.听
Currently, the 17 municipalities within the upper Thames River watershed appoint representatives to the UTRCA Board of Directors. These members represent their local urban and rural communities, deciding policies and programs that will lead to a healthy watershed.听
You can view a or the interactive online map.听
The public is encouraged to provide feedback on the government's proposed regional consolidation of the 36 Conservation Authorities via the before midnight on December 22, 2025. 听
For more information:听
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- amending the Conservation Authorities Act to establish the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency.听