Ontario proposed new conservation authority agency to improve service delivery

The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) announced that the provincial government plans to create a new conservation authority agency to improve service delivery and protect communities.

The Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency (OPCA) will oversee key improvement projects, including a proposed regional consolidation.

Creating this agency will help the province deliver on its plan to protect Ontario by cutting red tape.

“Conservation authorities play a vital role in protecting our communities and managing our watersheds, but the system has become too fragmented, inconsistent and outdated,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP).

“The new, dedicated agency would work with conservation leaders to ensure faster, more transparent permitting and more front-line services so we can reduce delays to get shovels in the ground sooner, support economic growth and keep our communities safe from floods and other natural hazards.”

Currently, Ontario has a fragmented system of 36 conservation authorities, each of which have different policies, standards, fees and levels of staffing and technical capacity.

This has led to unpredictable and inconsistent turnaround times for approves across all conservation authorities.

According to the provincial government, the OPCA will provide centralized leadership, efficient governance, strategic direction and oversight of all conservation authorities.

The agency will free-up resources for front-line conservation while supporting authorities in their core mandate of managing watersheds and protecting people from natural hazards.

This will continue to protect Ontarians from natural hazards, such as flooding and erosion, to protect municipal sources of drinking water, and to manage conservation lands, trails and recreational and educational facilities.

Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) is aware of this proposed agency.

“We appreciate that the Province of Ontario continues to recognise the need for conservation authorities to deliver the programs and services we deliver today,” Ray Chartrand, Chair of the ABCA Board of Directors.

The provincial government has also stated that any approved changes will not reduce staffing levels.

According to Chartrand, the ABCA supports continued close work with the province, but changes need to be practical.

“The work of conservation authorities needs to continue to be science-based and continue to be based on management of resources at the local watershed level,” added Chartrand.

“Conservation authorities also need to continue to be locally responsive to maintain the relationships and partnerships that benefit our communities here in rural Ontario today.”

In the coming weeks the government plans to introduce legislation to establish the proposed agency.

As part of that work, the government will soon begin consultations with the public, municipalities, stakeholders, Indigenous communities and other partners.

“The OPCA will work with conservation authorities to reduce duplication, implement consistent processes and standards, and leverage shared technology and other resources,” said Hassaan Basit, Chief Conservation Executive.

“With better tools and more resources for front-line staff, local authorities will have a greater ability to use technical data, research and analysis to make decisions, operate with greater consistency and transparency, and deliver faster services to municipalities, residents and permit applicants.”

Under the current system, more than half of all municipalities in areas served by conservation authorities fall within the jurisdiction of two or more conservation authorities, resulting in unnecessary duplication.

If the consolidation is implemented as proposed, this would be reduced by 63 per cent.

Consolidation would enable more consistent service delivery and more efficient resource and information sharing, making conservation authorities more responsive to the needs of the communities they serve.