BurlingtonGreen is a non-partisan, solution-focused organization. Together with the community, we work to protect and care for the environment, now and for the future.

The Ontario government is proposing to consolidate the province’s 36 local conservation authorities into just seven large regional authorities.

This proposal raises serious concerns about water protection, flood prevention, and the future of protected conservation lands. The long-term impacts on wetlands, forests, and flood mitigation remain unclear.

Conservation authorities have protected Ontario’s water, wetlands, forests, and communities from flooding for more than 70 years. Over 80 percent of Ontarians want more protected green space, not less.

This issue is especially important here in Burlington. Conservation Halton plays a critical role in managing our watershed and reducing flood risk, which is one of Burlington’s main climate-related risks.

What YOU can do

1. Find your MPP – use this tool
   
   
2. Call your MPP
   Phone calls are the most effective way to make your voice heard. Let your MPP know that you do not support the proposed amalgamation of conservation authorities. Feel free to use points from issue information further below to guide your message.
   
   
3. Write a letter or email to your MPP
   Handwritten letters are often especially impactful due to the time and care they require, but emails are also effective when they are personal and heartfelt.
   
   
4. At a minimum, we encourage you to sign the petition
   When signing, you will often have the option to customize the pre-written letter.
   
   A helpful tip is to personalize at least the opening by saying something like: “I am a resident of Burlington, and I care about this issue because…”
   
   Sample phone call template:
   Hello, my name is _ and I am a Burlington resident calling with concerns about the provincial proposal to consolidate Ontario’s conservation authorities.
   
   State your concerns:
   “I’m concerned that consolidating conservation authorities would weaken local decision-making and increase risks related to flooding, water quality, and environmental protection in our community.”
   
   You may wish to add one or two points you’re aware of, for example:

• Conservation authorities already issue 96% of permits within required timelines
• Local watershed expertise is critical for managing flood risk and protecting drinking water
• There is no evidence that consolidation would improve efficiency or environmental outcomes

Then ask your representative to:

“Oppose the proposed consolidation and support local conservation authorities because they are the most knowledgeable about our watershed.”

Thank them for their time, and you’re done.

Why the Proposed Conservation Authority Consolidation Raises Concerns

Conservation authorities play a critical role in protecting communities across Ontario by preventing floods, safeguarding drinking water, managing natural hazards, and conserving natural spaces. A provincial proposal to consolidate Ontario’s existing conservation authorities into a small number of large regional bodies has raised serious concerns among municipalities, experts, and community organizations.

Conservation authorities already deliver strong results

Conservation authorities prevent more than $150 million in flood-related damages each year, helping protect communities from Ontario’s costliest natural hazard. They also play a central role in maintaining clean drinking water for more than 10 million people by protecting and improving critical water sources.

Most Ontarians already benefit from local watershed management

Approximately 95 percent of people in Ontario live in a watershed managed by a conservation authority. These locally based organizations manage more than 150,000 hectares of land for conservation, recreation, and flood and erosion control, making them one of the largest stewards of natural land in the province.

Consolidation would weaken local expertise and decision-making

Replacing locally governed conservation authorities with large regional bodies would reduce the ability to make informed decisions based on local ecosystems, risks, and community needs. Managing floods, erosion, and environmental hazards would become more complex and less responsive, increasing risks to communities.

Proposed regional boundaries are too large to be effective

Original Conservation Authorities are based on watersheds (the way water flows naturally), and some of the proposed consolidated regions would span more than 23,000 square kilometres and include up to 81 municipalities! At this scale, it would be difficult to apply local hydrological knowledge, respond quickly to emergencies, or ensure meaningful local input into decision-making.

Centralized provincial control would undermine local voices

The proposal would allow a new provincial agency and the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks to issue binding directions related to conservation authorities’ governance, programs, and services. Concentrating decision-making power at the provincial level risks sidelining local expertise and community priorities.

No evidence shows consolidation would improve performance

No clear evidence has been provided to demonstrate that consolidation would improve efficiency, service quality, environmental outcomes, or asset management. In fact, 96 percent of conservation authority permits are already issued within mandated timelines, indicating that the current system is functioning effectively.

Widespread opposition highlights a lack of support

Many municipalities, conservation authorities, community groups, and organizations across Ontario have expressed opposition to the proposed consolidation. This resistance underscores concerns that the change is unnecessary and could weaken environmental protection and public safety.

BurlingtonGreen is a non-partisan, solution-focused organization. Together with the community, we work to protect and care for the environment, now and for the future.