Richard P. Peralta Business
Credit Valley Conservation Board Pushes Back Against Ontario’s Proposed Conservation Authority Merger

Introduction

In a decisive response to the Ontario government’s sweeping reforms to environmental governance, the Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) board of directors has formally voiced strong opposition to the province’s plan to merge all 36 conservation authorities into seven larger regional agencies. The proposal—outlined under Bill 68, the Plan to Protect Ontario Act—has set off alarm bells among municipal leaders, conservation experts, and local stakeholders who fear the restructuring could diminish local control, weaken environmental protections, and undermine decades of collaborative watershed management.

At a board meeting on November 28, CVC officials passed a resolution rejecting the merger plan, while also calling for a unified strategy with municipalities and partner organizations to ensure local interests are not overshadowed by centralized governance. Leaders across the region stressed that the proposed changes represent far more than administrative realignment—they could reshape the future of watershed protection in Western Lake Ontario communities.

Province Proposes Sweeping Consolidation of Conservation Authorities

A Restructuring With Wide-Ranging Implications

Bill 68 outlines a dramatic shift from the current model, in which 36 conservation authorities operate independently within their respective watersheds. Under the proposed consolidation, these authorities would be reorganized into seven large regional conservation agencies, each responsible for broader geographic jurisdictions.

For the CVC, the restructuring would mean amalgamation with three neighbouring authorities: Conservation Halton, the Hamilton Conservation Authority, and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. Together, they would be absorbed into a new Western Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority.

CVC board members expressed concern that such a large and complex entity may struggle to maintain the local responsiveness, community knowledge, and targeted programs that smaller authorities have developed over time. With watersheds varying widely in their geography, ecology, and local priorities, many board members fear that regional uniformity may dilute specific needs.

CVC Voices Concerns Over Governance, Funding, and Local Autonomy

Loss of Local Decision-Making a Central Issue

According to a staff report presented at the meeting, CVC leaders warn that Bill 68 introduces major governance risks—chief among them the potential loss of local decision-making power. The proposed Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency (OPCA), a new centralized oversight body, would assume substantial authority over budgets, staffing, operations, and digital infrastructure.

The OPCA’s mandate would include setting province-wide performance standards, coordinating programs, and controlling a unified provincial permitting system. While intended to streamline processes and reduce duplication, CVC board members argued that such centralized control could come at the expense of community-driven conservation work.

Risks Identified by CVC Staff

If the merger proceeds, CVC staff highlighted several areas of uncertainty and risk:

  • Reduced authority for local boards and municipalities over conservation decisions

  • Decreased municipal input in watershed-specific planning and services

  • Unclear funding formulas that could destabilize established programs

  • Ambiguity surrounding the ownership and stewardship of conservation lands

  • Potential impacts on local environmental programs, public greenspaces, and community services

Board members stressed that these risks threaten not only governance structures but also crucial on-the-ground work that supports local ecosystems, flood resilience, and climate adaptation.

Regional Leaders Call for Unified Opposition

Municipal Leaders Raise Alarm

Several political leaders emphasized the urgency of presenting a coordinated, province-wide response to the restructuring. Coun. Alvin Tedjo argued that while consolidation discussions are necessary, the drastic reduction from 36 authorities to just seven goes too far. He noted that a more modest reduction—to around 19—might have preserved local accountability while improving administrative efficiency.

Halton Hills Mayor Ann Lawlor voiced particularly strong concerns, drawing parallels between the proposed changes and the loss of treasured public lands. She warned that communities, environmental organizations, and municipalities are already facing significant challenges under recent provincial decisions. According to Lawlor, the restructuring could erode decades of progress in environmental protection, likening it to “selling a part of a public park or Wasaga Beach.”

Involving Indigenous Communities

Erin Mayor Michael Dehn urged the CVC to reach out to First Nations groups, emphasizing the importance of Indigenous stewardship and traditional ecological knowledge in watershed management. He encouraged building alliances that recognize the deep cultural and environmental ties Indigenous communities have to regional lands and waterways.

Creation of a Strategic Task Force

To ensure coordinated messaging and advocacy, the board established a special task force. The group—consisting of Mayor Lawlor, Mississauga Coun. Dipika Damerla, and Brampton Coun. Michael Palleschi—will lead efforts to engage municipalities, community groups, and the public.

Their mandate includes refining political messaging, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring that concerns about the restructuring are clearly communicated to provincial decision-makers ahead of key deadlines.

CVC Highlights Its Strong Performance and Local Impact

A High-Performing Organization With Deep Local Roots

In its resolution, the board emphasized that Credit Valley Conservation is a “high-performing conservation authority” that delivers measurable results across several priority areas. These include regulatory compliance, watershed science, digital modernization, municipal partnerships, and community-focused programs.

CVC leaders stressed that any provincial overhaul must safeguard these strengths rather than undermine them. Effective watershed management, they argued, relies on localized expertise, established community relationships, and long-term environmental planning—assets that could be weakened under a large regional authority.

Submission to the Province and Municipal Coordination

The board instructed staff to submit its detailed concerns to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks before the December 22 deadline. Beyond the province, CVC will also distribute its position to all watershed municipalities and continue coordinating with neighbouring conservation authorities affected by the proposed merger.

Province Defends Merger Plan as Efficiency Measure

Government Says Consolidation Will Reduce Duplication

In a letter sent to municipalities, the Ontario government stated that the objective of the consolidation is to reduce administrative duplication and better align conservation authorities with provincial priorities. The province has assured municipalities that core programs—such as flood forecasting, natural hazard management, and drinking water source protection—will continue uninterrupted.

Under the plan, governance changes would not take effect until after the 2026 municipal election, giving authorities and municipalities time to transition if the legislation proceeds.

Watershed Communities Potentially Affected

The Credit River Watershed’s Wide Reach

Credit Valley Conservation manages all lands draining into the Credit River, a 90-kilometre waterway that begins in the rural headwaters of Orangeville, Erin, and Mono, eventually flowing into Lake Ontario in Mississauga.

Municipalities within the watershed include:

  • Dufferin County: East Garafraxa, Amaranth, Mono, Orangeville

  • Wellington County: Erin

  • Peel Region: Caledon, Brampton, Mississauga

  • Halton Region: Halton Hills and a small portion of southeast Oakville

These communities rely on CVC’s stewardship for environmental monitoring, flood prevention, ecological restoration, and public access to greenspaces.

Conclusion

As Ontario moves forward with its proposed overhaul of conservation authorities, the Credit Valley Conservation board is positioning itself as a strong advocate for local governance, transparent funding, and watershed-specific environmental protection. The coming weeks will be crucial as municipalities, conservation authorities, and community partners mobilize to respond to the province’s plan. Whether Bill 68 becomes a catalyst for streamlined governance or a point of contention for local stakeholders will depend heavily on the dialogue that unfolds between now and the implementation timeline set for after the 2026 municipal election.