Councillors are joining conservation authorities in pushing back against the a proposal to fold all 36 agencies into seven mega-authorities.<\/p>\n
Published Dec 16, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 2 minute read<\/p>\n
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Mark Peacock, secretary-treasurer and chief administrator for the Lower Thames Valley conservation authority, addresses Chatham-Kent council Monday. (Trevor Terfloth\/The Daily News)Article content<\/p>\n
Chatham-Kent councillors are joining area conservation authorities in pushing back against the province\u2019s proposal to fold all 36 agencies into seven mega-authorities.<\/p>\n
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Announced in late October by Environment Minister Todd McCarthy, Queen\u2019s Park aims to create a new provincial conservation agency that will oversee the amalgamation process and the new authorities.<\/p>\n
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In a presentation Monday, Mark Peacock, secretary-treasurer and chief administrator for the Lower Thames Valley conservation authority, told council there are concerns about ensuring proper representation within the new model.<\/p>\n
\u201cLocal municipalities will lose their say on how their money is being spent,\u201d he said. \u201cThat is a pretty huge issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe now tailor programs to our local areas. How will that happen in a regional conservation authority?\u201d<\/p>\n
The changes are a part of an omnibus Bill 68, the Plan to Protect Ontario Act, which already has received royal assent.<\/p>\n
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Ontario\u2019s conservation authorities are responsible for the management of watersheds, drinking water protection, recreational conservation and flood mapping.<\/p>\n
The minister justified the move by saying different processes and rules created a patchwork of standards.<\/p>\n
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A map of the proposed Lake Erie regional conservation authority is shown. (Supplied)<\/p>\n
Under the present proposed boundaries, the Lower Thames Valley, Upper Thames River, Long Point Region, Grand River, Catfish Creek, Essex Region, Lower Thames Valley, Kettle Creek, and St. Clair Region authorities would be merged into a mega-agency: The Lake Erie Regional conservation authority.<\/p>\n
Those eight conservation authorities represent 81 municipalities.<\/p>\n
More than 100 Ontario municipalities found themselves split between two or more conservation authorities, and the amalgamation would lead to less duplication and would not result in job losses, McCarthy has said.<\/p>\n
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Part of the intention behind the province\u2019s move is to streamline permitting for builders, landowners, and farmers, according to the Environmental Registry of Ontario. The new authorities would still be governed by municipalities.<\/p>\n
While municipal control is still part of the equation for the new mega-authorities, there are worries about maintaining local influence.<\/p>\n
Peacock noted much of the land within a conservation authority has been donated.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose conservation areas were given to the local conservation authority by families for their communities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The province already has the power to compel conservation authorities to improve efficiencies, and Peacock believes a more sensible proposal is possible, adding the conservation authorities are willing to discuss further.<\/p>\n
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\u201cMaybe we need to amalgamate, but it should be amalgamations within like areas, like economies, like communities,\u201d Peacock said.<\/p>\n
North Kent Coun. Rhonda Jubenville called the centralization \u201cvery concerning.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI agree, we\u2019re losing our local voice and local representation,\u201d she said, before putting forth the successful resolution in support of the conservation authorities.<\/p>\n
In a statement, a ministry spokesperson said the government aims to empower conservation authorities to deliver faster, more efficient outcomes for their communities.<\/p>\n
They will still provide the same programs and services, Alexandru Cioban said, adding: \u201cTheir mandate, service areas, and funding models will remain unchanged, and boards will continue to be municipally appointed.\u201d<\/p>\n
The proposed boundaries are currently open to feedback until Dec. 22, with comments being accepted at ero.ontario.ca\/notice\/025-1257<\/a>.<\/p>\n With files from Jack Moulton and Ryan Goodison<\/p>\n