Overview
The Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency (OPCA) is a newly established, provincial board-governed agency, overseen by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, leading improvements to the province’s conservation authority system.
OPCA will achieve this by:
- providing centralized leadership, tools and resources to ensure a smooth and organized regional consolidation of conservation authorities
- enhancing digital and technical resources and providing centralized services to strengthen front-line programs and realize more predictable services, including permitting
- supporting housing, infrastructure, economic growth and watershed management
These actions will strengthen the role conservation authorities already play in managing watersheds and protecting communities, while also cutting red tape to build our economy and speed up vital development projects.
Role of conservation authorities in the province
Conservation authorities are local public sector organizations governed by the Conservation Authorities Act, which is administered by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.
Conservation authorities carry out programs and services that support provincial and municipal interests, including:
- flood and erosion control
- drought/low water planning
- natural hazard management and planning decisions
- Permitting to regulate impacts of development and activities in hazardous land (such as floodplains, shorelines or wetlands)
- management of conservation authority owned land
- drinking water source protection (under the Clean Water Act)
- surface water and groundwater monitoring
Municipalities can also work with local conservation authorities to develop and deliver additional local natural resource programs and services, including providing outdoor and recreational opportunities.
OPCA’s oversight role will support strengthened capacity and front-line resources to help safeguard people and property from flooding, while also operating with more transparency and accountability for communities.
Key challenges facing conservation agencies
Ontario currently has a fragmented system of 36 conservation authorities, with more than half of municipalities falling under the jurisdiction of two or more, each with different policies, standards, fees, staffing levels and technical capabilities.
This has led to several key challenges, including:
- unpredictable and inconsistent turnaround times for approvals
- uncertainty and delays for builders, property owners and municipalities seeking permits
- risk of undermining the ability to protect communities from floods and natural hazards
- unnecessary administrative duplication that diverts resources from front-line conservation work
- disparities in size of resources and access to the latest tools and technology
Benefits of regional consolidation of conservation authorities
Regional consolidation of individual conservation authorities will have the following benefits across the province:
- more resources for front-line services
- improved flood management and erosion prevention
- strong environmental protections maintained
- faster and more consistent permit applications
- modern service delivery
- consistent standards and use of modern technology
Nine new regional conservation authorities are being established based on the following criteria:
- maintaining watershed-based jurisdictions for effective flood and water management including improving alignment with source protection regions under the Clean Water Act
- reducing administrative overlap and duplication for municipalities and conservation authorities to strengthen local partnerships
- balancing expertise and capacity across conservation authorities to enhance technical skills and improve service and program delivery
- ensuring uninterrupted delivery of local conservation authority programs
- reflecting local needs, preserving local knowledge and relationships
- balancing differing priorities across rural, urban, and northern areas
- accommodating areas with distinct geographies and development contexts
New regional conservation authorities
Consolidation of Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities into the following 9 watershed-based conservation authorities:
- Northwestern Ontario Regional Conservation Authority
- Northeastern Ontario Regional Conservation Authority
- Western Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority
- Eastern Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority
- St. Lawrence River Regional Conservation Authority
- Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority
- Central Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority
- Western Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority
- Lake Huron Regional Conservation Authority
These new regional conservation authorities will continue to provide watershed management and conservation programs and services across the same areas that the 36 conservation authorities serve.
Proposed 9 Regional Conservation Authorities
This map shows the boundaries for the regional consolidation of Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities into 9 watershed-based regional conservation authorities.
The map shown here is for illustration purposes only and is not suitable for site-specific use or applications.
Pathway to consolidation
Over the next year, OPCA will lead the transition for regional consolidation from 36 to 9 conservation authorities, in collaboration with conservation authorities and municipal partners, including:
- developing a structured process and roadmap outlining steps of the consolidation process
- establishing transition committees, with representation from each conservation authority, to ensure consolidation is organized and successful
- providing support and expertise on the organizational aspects of consolidation
- providing central coordination to address any issues that may arise, and to mitigate risks of delays
- putting in place a governance model that ensures balanced municipal representation
- requiring new Watershed Councils so local knowledge and expertise continues to guide watershed management planning
The regional consolidation of conservation authorities is not intended to take effect until early 2027, allowing for transition planning to occur throughout 2026, coordinated by OPCA.
Contact us
Questions or comments about the transition to regional consolidation may be submitted to the Office of the Chief Conservation Executive via CCEO@ontario.ca.
Questions about the Conservation Authorities Act and implementation matters related to the act, should be submitted to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks at ca.office@ontario.ca.
Footnotes
- footnote[1] Back to paragraph The maps shown here are for illustration purposes only and are not suitable for site-specific use or applications. Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks provides this information with the understanding that it is not guaranteed to be accurate, correct or complete and conclusions drawn from such information are the responsibility of the user. While every effort has been made to use data believed to be accurate; a degree of error is inherent in all maps. Map products are intended for reference purposes only, and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks will accept no liability for consequential and indirect damages arising from the use of these maps. These maps are distributed 'as-is' without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to warranties of suitability to a particular purpose or use.