Ontario opens feedback on plan to merge 36 conservation authorities into 7 by Dec. 22

The Ford government has passed Bill 68, which amends the Conservation Authorities Act to establish the “Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency” which will oversee “conservation authorities and the transition to a regional watershed-based framework for conservation authorities in Ontario.” and involve regional consolidation, merging Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities down to 7.

Public consultation on these changes opened November 7, 2025 and goes until December 22, 2025. You can take part in the Ontario government’s decision-making process by providing comments and feedback on the proposed changes on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) public consultation process here: https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/025-1257 (posting 025-1257).

Quinte Conservation, along with six other conservation authorities, are to form the Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority – an area covering 48 municipalities and 16,000 km2, stretching from Whitby to Napanee, north to the Kawarthas and south to Prince Edward County.

No further details have been provided as to how local municipalities would retain meaningful oversight or control increases to municipal levies. Currently, municipalities fund 51 per cent of Quinte Conservation’s annual operating budget compared to a provincial contribution of 13 per cent

Quinte Conservation’s Kirsten Geisler, Communications Specialist

Quinte Conservation is asking residents to submit feedback on the changes and express concern.

We encourage watershed municipalities and all residents to express concerns and provide comments prior to Dec. 22

Given the current details provided so far, we can’t say how exactly our communities will be affected. Our fear is that turning a 6,000 km2 watershed region into a 16,000 km2 region will come with growing pains that ultimately affect you. So, I ask for your participation. We all need Mother Nature and the water she provides.

Don Kuntze, Chair of the Board of Directors