WCS Comments: Proposed boundaries for the regional consolidation of Ontario’s Conservation Authorities

Ray, J.

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Abstract

Ontario’s proposal to consolidate its Conservation Authorities into a small number of regional entities, as outlined in Environmental Registry of Ontario Notice ERO 025-1257, represents a fundamental restructuring of Ontario’s watershed-based governance model. The Notice frames this move as a response to inefficiency, inconsistency, and administrative duplication. However, when assessed against the documented performance of Conservation Authorities, the legislative and regulatory tools already available to the province, and their historical purpose, the efficiency rationale does not withstand scrutiny. Instead, the proposal appears to reflect a governance choice to centralize authority over land-use and development decision-making, reducing the influence of locally governed, watershed-based institutions whose role has been to introduce independent, evidence-based risk considerations into land-use and development decisions.

Recommended citation

Ray, J. (2025). WCS Comments: Proposed boundaries for the regional consolidation of Ontario’s Conservation Authorities. Wildlife Conservation Society Canada [WCS Canada]. https://wcscanada.org/resources/wcs-comments-proposed-boundaries-for-the-regional-consolidation-of-ontarios-conservation-authorities/