On Monday, November 23, 2020, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) General Membership held a special board meeting to review and discuss the Province’s proposed changes to the Conservation Authorities Act and the Planning Act through Schedule 6 in Bill 229: Protect, Support and Recover from COVID-19 Act (Budget Measures).
While the GRCA board expressed support for the Province’s stated objectives to modernize the Conservation Authorities Act, and enhance transparency and accountability, the board also voiced deep concern that some of the proposed changes may have a considerable impact on conservation authorities, their watershed management responsibilities, and consequently, on the health and wellness of the Grand River watershed and its residents.
If enacted, a number of these changes will significantly impact the role of the conservation authority board to establish and subsequently offer programs and services. As well, the proposed amendments will enable regulations that would either limit or completely change the role of conservation authorities in protecting Ontario’s environment and ensuring people and property are safe from natural hazards like flooding.
At the meeting, board members passed a motion requesting staff to send GRCA Report GM-11-20-85 Proposed Amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act through Bill 229 to the Premier of Ontario, the Ministers of Environment, Conservation and Parks, Natural Resources and Forestry, Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Finance, as well as all watershed MPPs, watershed municipalities, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Rural Ontario Municipal Association. The report outlines the proposed changes in five key areas of concern for the GRCA: Objects, Powers and Duties; Regulatory; Enforcement; Governance and Other.
“In the Grand River watershed, the GRCA plays a critical role in protecting our environment and natural heritage, mitigating the impacts of flooding and other natural hazards, ensuring safe drinking water and supporting municipal partners with Planning Act applications,” says GRCA Chair Helen Jowett. “This legislation introduces a number of changes that could remove or significantly limit the GRCA’s ability to manage watershed natural resources and ensure people and property are safe from natural hazards. I would encourage watershed municipalities and residents to contact their local MPP and ask that the Province of Ontario work with conservation authorities to address our shared concerns before these changes are enacted.”
The GRCA requests that:
Most of the amendments proposed would be implemented through new or amended regulations, legal instruments or policies. At this time, the Province has not yet provided the supporting regulations and policies that will provide a more complete understanding of how the changes are to be implemented and the full impact, both locally on the GRCA, and more broadly on all conservation authorities across the province. It is anticipated that the first phase of regulations are set to come out in the coming weeks.
“The GRCA will offer its assistance and technical expertise to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry on any working groups or technical committees established to review future changes to the regulations, policies or provincial standards related to the implementation of the Conservation Authorities Act,” continues Chair Jowett.
Further details on the changes to the CA Act as well as Ontario’s 2020 Budget are posted on the Province’s website. Further information regarding the impact of these changes on conservation authorities and their ability to conserve and restore Ontario’s important natural resources is available on Conservation Ontario’s website, along with the contact information of provincial elected officials.
The proposed changes, if enacted:
Also included is the proposed amendment that a conservation authority will be required to enter into agreements with participating municipalities if any municipal funding is needed to recover costs for programs and/or services considered non-mandatory.
Lisa Stocco, GRCA Manager of Communications
Phone 519-621-2763 x2316 | Email lstocco@grandriver.ca
Cam Linwood, Communications Coordinator
Phone 519-621-2763 x2251 | Email clinwood@grandriver.ca