GRCA Board approves 2026 budget

The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) will invest nearly $42 million this year on programs that protect life and minimize property damage from flooding and erosion, improve the health of the Grand River watershed, connect people to the environment through outdoor experiences and build a future-oriented organization.

The GRCA Board approved the budget on Friday, February 27, 2026. The Board is made up of 26 members appointed by the municipalities in the Grand River watershed.

Participating municipalities will contribute about $14.2 million in municipal apportionment to the GRCA in 2026; or about 34 per cent of the GRCA’s total budget. The municipal apportionment increase is kept at 3.5 per cent. The municipal apportionment is allocated to each member municipality using the “Modified Current Value Assessment” as outlined under Regulation 402/22: Budget and Apportionment of the Conservation Authorities Act. The 2026 municipal apportionment allocation was approved at the January 23, 2026 meeting of the Board. 

Other federal, provincial and municipal government grants totaling just under $4.2 million represent about ten per cent of the budget.

In 2026, the GRCA expects to generate about 46 per cent of its own revenue through sources such as camping fees, conservation area admissions, outdoor environmental education programs, hydro sales from some dams, property rentals, tree sales, planning permits and donations raised by the Grand River Conservation Foundation (GRCF).

Reserves are expected to decrease by just over $2.2 million, to primarily fund water control infrastructure, flood forecasting and warning infrastructure, conservation area capital and the environmental education program deficit.

“The approval of our 2026 budget reflects our commitment to the priorities outlined in our Strategic Plan,” says GRCA Chair John Challinor II. “It reflects the GRCA’s steadfast commitment to providing excellent, fiscally responsible watershed programs and services to our participating municipalities and the residents we serve.”

The 2026 budget framework corresponds with the GRCA’s Program and Services Inventory which was prepared in accordance with provincial regulations. Overall, the 2026 budget reflects the continued delivery of prior year programs and services with the use of self-generated revenue (46 per cent), government funding (44 per cent) and the use of reserves (10 per cent).

Full details of the GRCA 2026 Budget are provided in the February 27, 2026, Board report.

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Media contacts:

Serena Catania, GRCA Supervisor of Communications and Marketing

Phone 519-621-2763 x2240 | Email scatania@grandriver.ca

Lisa Stocco, GRCA Director of Strategic Communications and Environmental Education

Phone 519-621-2763 x2316 | Email lstocco@grandriver.ca