Toronto, ON — The Government of Ontario has announced a major overhaul of its conservation authority system, unveiling plans to consolidate the province’s 36 conservation authorities into seven regional bodies and establish a new provincial oversight agency. The move, according to Environment, Conservation and Parks Minister Todd McCarthy, aims to modernize watershed management, improve service delivery, and strengthen environmental protection — with no job losses expected.
Speaking at Queen’s Park on Friday, Minister McCarthy said the proposed legislation will create the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency, which will serve as a central authority to coordinate conservation work, set provincewide standards, and oversee the amalgamation process.
“Ontario’s conservation authorities are essential to watershed management and public safety across our province,” said McCarthy. “But right now, we have 36 authorities operating largely on their own — with fragmented data systems, inconsistent standards, and duplicated services. This consolidation will make our system more efficient, cohesive, and aligned with natural watershed boundaries.”
The minister emphasized that the consolidation will not eliminate positions, but rather redeploy leadership roles, including the current 36 conservation authority CEOs, into front-line or community-based service delivery.
“This isn’t about cuts — it’s about transformation,” McCarthy added. “We want the best and brightest talent out in the field, where it can make the most difference for Ontario communities and ecosystems.”
Key Components of the Proposal
- Seven new regional conservation authorities will replace the existing 36, with boundaries realigned to reflect natural watershed regions.
- A newly created Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency will centralize leadership, streamline permits, and ensure consistent provincial standards.
- More than 100 municipalities, many of which currently fall under multiple conservation authorities, will benefit from simpler and more unified oversight.
- Existing conservation authority board members will remain in place until after the 2026 municipal elections, when new governance structures are introduced.
- Consultations on proposed regional boundaries and governance will begin in spring 2026, with implementation expected thereafter.
The government maintains that the changes will reduce administrative duplication while preserving the essential environmental, flood prevention, and community planning functions of conservation authorities.
Background
Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities, established over several decades, oversee local watershed management, flood control, and environmental protection programs. However, overlapping jurisdictions and differing regulations have long posed challenges for municipalities, developers, and residents.
The Ford government previously amended conservation authority powers through its housing legislation, narrowing their role in development approvals to focus on natural hazards such as flooding and erosion, and removing broader considerations like pollution control and land conservation.
Minister McCarthy said the new oversight framework will “build on that streamlining work” while ensuring conservation authorities remain “strong, effective, and accountable.”
“This reform is about protecting Ontario’s environment while making our institutions work smarter and better for the people they serve,” he said.