Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA Is Among Those On Ford’s Chopping Block
“The Conservation Authorities were created to make better land use decisions. This proposed consolidation undermines their vital role in protecting our communities. We need to empower them to do their work independently as our watershed experts.” – Tony Morris, Conservation Policy and Campaigns Director, Ontario Nature
News from Ontario Nature, a no-profit citizens group advocating for our natural heritage in Ontario
Posted March 25th, 2026 on Niagara At Large
(A Brief Foreword Note from Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper – Interesting to note that there is not one comment here from a representative in Niagara here, including the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority or its board, which is loaded with Ford government cronies.)
Toronto, Ontario – In anticipation of the introduction of legislative changes to enable the sweeping and ill-conceived consolidation of Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities into nine, a broad coalition of civil society groups, individuals and a local elected official are calling on the Government of Ontario to halt this plan and listen to experts and local voices to re-empower the Conservation Authorities.
To date, the Government of Ontario has provided no evidence or business case to justify its planned consolidation of the Conservation Authorities. This proposed consolidation limits local decision-making, ignores science-based watershed knowledge, puts our communities at greater risk of flooding and water quality issues, undermines source water protection for our drinking water and dismisses concerns from a broad spect6rum of organizations and thousands of residents of Ontario.
“The province has failed to explain why this consolidation is necessary. Instead, their desire to push forward with such a drastic consolidation will create more uncertainty and increase risks for our communities. This needs to go back to the drawing board.” – Janet Stavinga, Former Chair, Mississippi-Valley Source Protection Committee, Vice-Chair, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, Mayor of Goulbourn Township and Ottawa City Councillor
“The Conservation Authorities were created to make better land use decisions. This proposed consolidation undermines their vital role in protecting our communities. We need to empower them to do their work independently as our watershed experts.” – Tony Morris, Conservation Policy and Campaigns Director, Ontario Nature
“This proposed consolidation threatens the livelihoods and conservation efforts of farmers and Ontarians as a whole. We oppose legislative and regulatory changes that erode protections for farmland and natural heritage lands, and that diminish transparent, democratic decision-making.” – Josh Suppan, President, National Farmers Union – Ontario
“The scope and scale of this consolidation will not deliver improved consistency or customer service. Instead, it will weaken local watershed expertise, dilute community representation and disrupt nearly 80 years of successful Conservation Authority operations. We oppose this consolidation proposal.” – Lesley Lavender, CEO, Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations
“We’ve followed all guidelines, submitted to the ERO, gathered letters of support, and delegated— we are speaking up to get your attention. The environment does not answer to government decisions; it sets its own boundaries and rules. We are not its masters—we are its stewards, and it is time we start acting like it.” – Molly Allaire, Councillor, Town of Amherstburg, Chair, Essex Region Conservation Authority
This coalition of organizations and individuals urges the province to work collaboratively and meaningfully with municipalities, Conservation Authorities, First Nations and civil society organizations to develop real solutions that protect public safety, support smart planning, maintain local trust and enable effective watershed management.
We acknowledge that there are 46 treaties and other agreements that cover the territory, now called Ontario, and our roles and responsibilities as Treaty partners. We recognize the inherent rights and responsibilities of Indigenous Nations, who have cared for and governed Turtle Island since time immemorial.
Background
- The updated proposal to consolidate the 36 Conservation Authorities into nine instead of seven that will be overseen by a new provincial agency fails to address the concerns raised during the consultation period on the original proposal.
- Watershed Conservation Coalition. A newly established group of seventy-four dedicated and concerned professionals who have given decades of service to guide and support local science-based and watershed resource management. These professionals have come together in response to the province’s proposed sweeping changes to our Conservation Authorities.
- Ontario Nature protects wild species and wild spaces through conservation, education and public engagement. A charitable organization, Ontario Nature represents 9,500 members, 130,000 supporters and 150 member groups from across Ontario. At the ‘Guelph Conference’ in 1941, the Federation of Ontario Naturalists (now Ontario Nature), along with the Ontario Conservation and Reforestation Association, launched the Conservation Authority system in Ontario.
- National Farmers Union-Ontario (NFU-O) is an accredited farm organization representing thousands of passionate, innovative farmers across Ontario since 1969. Together, they work to achieve agricultural policies that ensure dignity and income security for farmers, while protecting and enhancing rural environments for current and future generations.
- Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (FOCA) exists to protect the interests of Ontario’s waterfront property owners and to champion the long-term health of the environment, local communities, and the cottage experience itself. FOCA has been the voice of the Ontario waterfront since 1963, including more than 550 lake and road associations, and permanent and seasonal residents.
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“A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders
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