Conservation Authorities Act review Improving Governance

NRU
Aug. 10, 2016

Ontario’s conservation authorities are asking the provincial government to develop a more efficient approach to environmental and resource management by clarifying the role of conservation authorities and updating their funding model.

The provincial government is presently reviewing its Conservation Authorities Act. In May its second discussion paper was released, outlining priorities for the update— strengthening oversight and accountability in decision-making, increasing consistency in roles and responsibilities, improving collaboration among parties involved in resource management, modernizing funding mechanisms and enhancing flexibility to update the act in the future.

In a submission to the province Conservation Ontario, which represents Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities, notes that the impacts of climate change and evolving land uses in the province have made environmental and resource management more complex than it was in the past.

It notes some confusion among the public and stakeholders about the mandate of conservation authorities. In response it suggests the act be updated to better reflect conservation authorities’ mandate. This change could better detail the authorities’ role in addressing climate change.

One of the challenges facing conservation authorities is the current funding model, which, overtime, has had a significant reduction in provincial contributions. Conservation Ontario notes that this has widened the gap in service delivery among the various conservation authorities and will reduce the ability of the authorities to address important issues such as climate change and Great Lakes water protection.

To ensure the authorities are adequately funded, Conservation Ontario proposes that a multi-ministry sustainable funding model be created for provincially-mandated programs. In its submissions it says that this would improve consistency and enable the authorities to act as a “one-window” service delivery agent for the province.

The other issue with funding concerns the municipal levy process and a discrepancy between the legislation and the associated regulation, which was introduced in 2000. Conservation Ontario is proposing that the province work closely with municipal and conservation authority representatives to rectify the discrepancy.

As part of the review the province is soliciting feedback from a stakeholder advisory group, which includes representatives from conservation authorities, agricultural organizations, environmental groups, the development industry and municipalities. The public comment period on the discussion paper closes September 9.