Overview

In Ontario, conservation authorities develop and deliver local, watershed-based resource management programs on behalf of the province and municipalities.

Conservation authorities are local public sector organizations established by the Province and governed by the Conservation Authorities Act, which is administered by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR).

Background

The Conservation Authorities Act was created in 1946. 

Each conservation authority was established by the province at the request of municipalities in a common watershed.

These municipalities:

  • work together on local resource management, including flooding and erosion issues.
  • appoint each conservation authority’s membership

The ministry administers the Conservation Authorities Act, its regulations and associated provincial policy. We provide conservation authorities with:

  • policies and procedures for meeting the requirements in the Conservation Authorities Act
  • policy direction and technical advice on natural hazard management
  • funding for eligible natural hazard management activities
  • funding for studies or repairs on existing conservation authority-owned or managed flood and erosion control infrastructure (for example, dams, dykes and retaining walls)

Under the Clean Water Act, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks also provides funding for conservation authorities for their legislated role as source protection authorities in the provincial drinking water source protection program.

Governance roles and responsibilities

Conservation authorities carry out programs that serve provincial and municipal interests, including the following mandatory programs from Ontario Regulation 686/21: Mandatory Programs And Services:

  • natural hazard management:
    • flood and erosion control
    • drought/low water program
    • advice to municipalities on natural hazard management and other matters
    • regulating impacts of development and activities in hazardous land (such as floodplains, shorelines or wetlands) natural hazards and public safety through a permitting process
  • management of conservation authority owned land
  • drinking water source protection (under the Clean Water Act)
  • surface water and groundwater monitoring programs

Municipalities can also work with local conservation authorities to develop and deliver additional local natural resource programs and services, including recreational opportunities. 

Row boats docked in a lake, surrounded by trees