Ontario is proposing to consolidate its 36 conservation authorities into seven, a move the environment minister insists will improve services and result in no job losses.

Environment Minister Todd McCarthy announced Friday that the government will soon introduce legislation to establish a new provincial agency to oversee the amalgamated conservation authorities and consult on the proposed boundaries of the new regional authorities.

"Ontario's conservation authorities are essential to watershed management and public safety across our province," he said.

"Our government is committed to ensuring they remain strong, effective and ready to meet today's challenges. But right now, Ontario has 36 conservation authorities operating largely on their own, with fragmented and outdated data systems

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