GRCA Board approves 2027 budget
The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) Board approved the Authority’s 2027 budget at its October 23, 2026, General Membership meeting. The proposed 2027 budget includes total spending of $42,384,764. The GRCA Board is made up of 26 members appointed by the municipalities in the Grand River watershed.
Participating municipalities will contribute about $14.7 million in municipal apportionment to the GRCA in 2027; or about 35 per cent of the GRCA’s total budget. The municipal apportionment is increasing by 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.
In 2027, the GRCA expects to generate about 46 per cent of its own revenue through sources such as camping fees, conservation area admissions, environmental education programs, hydro sales from some dams, property rentals, tree sales, planning permits and donations raised by the Grand River Conservation Foundation (GRCF).
Other federal, provincial and municipal government grants totaling just under $4.6 million represent about 11 per cent of the budget.
Finally, $3.5 million or about eight per cent of the total budget in 2027 will come from GRCA reserves.
The GRCA’s budget has been historically approved annually in February. However, on June 26, 2026, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation Parks (MECP) issued a directive under Section 1.14 of the Conservation Authorities Act which referenced existing Ontario Regulation 402/22 (Budget and Apportionment) and identified notification and approval timeline requirements for the 2027 budget year. Under the MECP directive, conservation authority budgets for 2027 must be approved no later than 30 days prior to the February 1, 2027 transition date, to preserve operational and budget continuity. To meet the earlier timeline, the first draft of the GRCA’s 2027 budget was presented to the Board at a special meeting on July 27, 2026. The final municipal apportionment was approved at the September 25, 2026, GRCA Board meeting.
“As we look ahead to 2027, the GRCA continues to adapt to a changing regulatory environment, while remaining focused on delivering effective, efficient, and fiscally responsible programs and services,” says GRCA Chair John Challinor II. “This budget reflects our commitment to working with our municipal partners, protecting communities from natural hazards, conserving vital natural resources, and ensuring that residents across the watershed continue to benefit from the programs and services they rely on.”
The 2027 budget framework corresponds with the GRCA’s Program and Services Inventory which was prepared in accordance with provincial regulations.
Full details of the GRCA 2027 Budget are provided in the October 23, 2026, Board report.
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Media Contacts:
Serena Catania, GRCA Supervisor of Communications and Marketing
Phone (519) 621-2763 x 2240 | Email scatania@grandriver.ca
Lisa Stocco, GRCA Director of Strategic Communications
Phone (519) 621-2763 x 2316 | Email lstocco@grandriver.ca