TORONTO — The Ontario government says it is moving ahead with a plan to improve the province’s conservation authority system by creating nine regional conservation authorities.
The proposal follows consultations with municipalities, conservation authorities and other partners on how to speed up approvals for housing and infrastructure projects while continuing to protect watersheds and communities from flooding and other natural hazards.
Ontario currently has 36 independent conservation authorities, each with its own policies and processes. The province says this has created inconsistent standards and delays for builders, landowners and farmers.
Environment, Conservation and Parks Minister Todd McCarthy said the new regional system would create clearer provincial standards and modern tools while strengthening watershed management.
Under the plan, the province would consolidate the existing authorities into nine larger regional bodies. The transition would be coordinated by the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency, which was created last year, with consolidation targeted for early 2027 if legislative changes are approved.
The government says the new structure would reduce administrative duplication and allow conservation authorities to focus more resources on front-line work such as watershed management, flood protection and source water protection.
Regional conservation authorities would continue to be governed by municipalities. They would also create local watershed councils to help ensure local knowledge and priorities guide conservation programs.
The province plans to provide the conservation agency with $3 million in annual funding starting in 2026 to support the transition and future improvements to conservation programs.
Officials say the changes aim to make the system more consistent and efficient while helping support housing and infrastructure development across Ontario.
