The Grand River Conservation Authority is raising “significant concerns” over a new Ontario conservation agency that will receive all or most of its funding from municipalities, and a proposed amalgamation with seven other conservation authorities.

On Thursday, Bill 68 received royal assent in Ontario, which includes amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act to establish an Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency. It would oversee the province’s conservation authorities and a “transition to a regional watershed-based framework.”

The province has released the proposed boundaries for the regional consolidation — posted on the Environmental Registry of Ontario for feedback until Dec. 22 — which would amalgamate the 36 existing conservation authorities into seven.

If approved, it would

See Full Page