Councillors argue that existing conservation authorities in northern Ontario should be maintained

Sault Ste. Marie City Council voted tonight to oppose plans to consolidate Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities into seven regional authorities.

“The needs of Sault Ste. Marie are quite different than others,” said Ward 3 Coun. Ron Zagordo, who introduced a resolution arguing that proposed northern Ontario regional conservation authorities don’t align with watershed boundaries and post a risk of increasing costs and decreasing service levels.

The following is the full text of the resolution approved tonight by city council:

Provincial plan to consolidate conservation authorities

Mover Councillor R. Zagordo

Seconder Councillor M. Bruni

Whereas the Municipality of Sault Ste. Marie and the Township of Prince established the Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority in 1963; and

Whereas local municipalities currently provide approximately 69 per cent of total conservation authority funding, while the Province of Ontario provides approximately seven per cent; and

Whereas municipalities have governed their respective conservation authorities for decades, tailoring programs and services to local watershed needs, maintaining accountable service standards, and ensuring fair and predictable costs for ratepayers; and

Whereas Bill 68 (Schedule 3) proposes the creation of the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency, a Crown corporation that would assume governance responsibilities and consolidate Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities into seven regional authorities, with municipal cost apportionment yet to be defined; and

Whereas the City of Sault Ste. Marie supports provincial goals for consistent permit approval processes, shared services, and digital modernization; and

Whereas the proposed northern Ontario regional conservation authorities do not align with watershed boundaries and have the risk of increasing costs and decreasing service levels;

Now therefore be it resolved that the City of Sault Ste. Marie calls on the Government of Ontario to maintain existing conservation authorities in northern Ontario that recognize our geographic realities and ensure strong local representation related to municipal levies, community-focused service delivery, and the protection and management of conservation lands;

And that the City of Sault Ste. Marie is opposed to the proposed “Northeastern Ontario Regional Conservation Authority” boundary configuration outlined in Environmental Registry Notice 025-1257;

And that the ministry engage directly with affected municipalities of the Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority, before finalizing any consolidation boundaries or legislative amendments.