A Call-Out from Ontario Nature, a not-for-profit citizens organization dedicated to protecting and preserving our natural heritage
Posted December 18th, 2025 on Niagara At Large
Unique to Ontario, conservation authorities holistically manage watersheds to prevent flooding, conserve natural areas and safeguard water quality – all benefitting both people and the environment. This work requires local connections to the communities they serve.
However, a series of changes (by Ontario’s Ford government) to their mandate, resourcing and independence have made it harder for conservation authorities to fulfill their crucial role.
Among these changes is the provincial government’s plans to consolidate Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities into seven sprawling regional authorities that would be overseen by a new centralized provincial agency.
If this amalgamation occurs, it becomes far more likely that critical local knowledge will be excluded from key decisions, leaving communities more exposed to flooding and other environmental harms. With flooding being the costliest natural hazard in Ontario and expected to become an even greater threat in the coming years, this is a trend communities cannot afford.
Join us in calling on Ontario Environment, Conservation and Parks Minister McCarthy and your MPP to re-empower conservation authorities. Please customize the email with your own perspective and experiences to maximize its impact.
To sign the Action Alert, click on – Conservation Authorities Petition | Re-empower Conservation Authorities
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