The Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) has raised serious concerns over the Ontario government’s proposal to consolidate 36 conservation authorities into nine regional bodies by 2027, warning that the move could slow housing development in fast-growing communities such as Mississauga and Brampton.
In a strongly worded response, CVC said the restructuring would disrupt one of the province’s most efficient conservation authorities and create delays in development approvals, ultimately resulting in fewer homes being built. The authority, established in 1954 to manage and protect the Credit River watershed, plays a key role in issuing permits for construction projects in environmentally sensitive areas such as floodplains, wetlands and shorelines.
The board of directors argued that while they support the province’s broader goals of modernizing services and accelerating housing approvals, dismantling a high-performing organization like CVC would have the opposite effect. Currently, CVC processes development applications in approximately 14 days, significantly faster than the province’s 90-day benchmark, providing builders and municipalities with predictable timelines and locally informed expertise.
Board chair and Brampton councillor Michael Palleschi said the proposed changes risk undermining a system that is already helping to address Ontario’s housing shortage. He noted that transitioning to a larger regional body would likely create delays as new governance structures, staffing and systems are put in place.
Vice-chair Alvin Tedjo emphasized that local watershed knowledge is critical not only for development efficiency but also for public safety. He pointed out that managing flood risks in urban areas requires specialized expertise, including floodplain mapping, real-time forecasting and environmental protection measures.
Ontario Environment Minister Todd McCarthy has stated that the consolidation aims to reduce duplication, streamline approvals and support housing growth, adding that no job losses are expected and that the new system will be operational within two years under a centralized provincial agency.
CVC maintains that disrupting an already efficient and locally responsive system could create unnecessary delays at a time when Ontario is facing a housing crisis, stressing that growth and environmental safety must go hand in hand.