Otonabee Conservation will be one of seven Conservation Authorities merging together under new provincial legislation.
Currently, there are 36 conservation authorities across the province, with different rules, regulations, and services.
The province has introduced new legislation that would condense those 36 separate authorities into 9.
Janette Loveys Smith, CAO of Otonabee Conservation (ORCA) and General Manager of Crowe Valley Conservation Authority gave a presentation to County Council on April 22 discussing the process and what this means for the local municipalities.
Loveys Smith told council that much of the information is still forthcoming from the province but the presentation was intended to update council with what is known at this time.
Loveys Smith said that they are currently in phase two of a three phase plan. This means that they are currently working on the transition to regional consolidation of Conservation Authorities (CA) and the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency (OPCA) is leading the consolidation and support of all CAs during the transition.
The final stage will be when the regional CAs are in place and OPCA is fully operation and leading the improvements to the provincial CA system
In Loveys Smith presentation it was stated that the following principles informed the actions the province is taking to improve CAs, in addition to feedback heard during consultation:
• Retain local influence
• Maintain CA watershed-based jurisdictions
• Reduce administrative overlap and duplication
• Strengthen CA capacity
• Continuity of services
• Improve customer service
This means that through the proposed regional consolidation, there will be more resources for front-line services, improved flood management and erosion prevention, strong environmental protection, faster permit approvals and consistent standards and use of modern technology.
However not everything will change.
CAs will still operate where they always have, the programs and services will not change including their responsibility for source water protections, natural hazard and watershed management.
The ownership and management of the land that CAs currently possess will not change either including their trails, access to green space, and their recreation and education programs.
How they receive funding also will not change.
Loveys Smith said of the 9 consolidated Conservation authorities, ORCA and Crowe Valley are part of the largest, with seven authorities condensing into one with a new name of Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority.
The seven CAs include:
• Cataraqui Region CA
• Crowe Valley Region CA
• Ganaraska Region CA
• Kawartha Region CA
• Lower Trent Region CA
• Otonabee Region CA
• Quinte Region CAThrough the regional conservation authority, representatives from each municipality would still be on a governing board based on a “rep by pop” formula ensuring fair representation. Each CA is required to
• develop a structured process and roadmap outlining steps of the consolidation process
• establish transition committees, with representation from each conservation authority, to ensure consolidation is organized and successful
• provide support and expertise on the organizational aspects of consolidation
• provide central coordination to address any issues that may arise, and to mitigate risks of delays
• put in place a governance model that ensures balanced municipal representation
• require new Watershed Councils so local knowledge and expertise continues to guide watershed management planning
Should any CA fail to meet the requirements set out by the OPCA, they would step in and make appointment and decision for that CA.
Loveys Smith said that based on this, both Crowe Valley and ORCA felt it best to have an active seat at the table, voicing their opinions so that their areas are fairly represented during this process.
Next steps in the process include:
• Royal Assent of Budget Bill 97
• Appointment of Project Executive and initial CAO
• Appointment of Transition committee members and committee initiated
• Development of a Transition Plan
• Appointment to new regional conservation authority board by February 2027
After Loveys Smith’s presentation councilors had the chance to ask questions and gain clarification on issues.
Coun. Ryan Huntley asked about the role of project executives and who would be taking over as executive officers for the new regional CAs.
Loveys Smith said that they had always known that the 36 Executive Officers of the current CAs would be out of the job with this consolidation. They do not have any clarity on who will be taking over or how that would look but expect more details in the coming weeks from the province.
Coun. Carolynn Amyotte asked about the budget process and how that would look through the election year in terms of timeline and implementation.
Loveys Smith explained that she plans to present her 2027 budget early for council to consider as she is aware many of the councils may be in lame duck through the budget process due to the municipal election. However, the OPCA has asked each of the CAs to have a reduced 2027 budget in place so that the new consolidated CA would have a starting point to work with once the transition process starts.
Deputy Warden Sherry Senis asked who would be paying for the services.
Loveys Smith said that was unclear at the moment but most likely would be a levy system similar to what ORCA has in place now, which is set up as percentage based on population with the largest coverage area paying the most.
Coun. Terry Lambshead asked if there would be a voice at the table for municipalities that host the start of the watershed.
Loveys Smith said unfortunately not. In Peterborough County the start of the watersheds are commonly seen in Trent Lakes and North Kawartha. These townships have a small population size and most likely would not be represented on the regional CA board. However they would have a voice through County Council which the CA board would have to report to, similar to the way ORCA operates now.
Loveys Smith presentation was received by council for information.
