New LSRCA GM, Glen MacMillan, set to navigate 'challenging times' ahead

30-year conservation veteran to lead critical planning and development authority branch amid anticipated impacts of recent changes to conservation authorities and planning acts

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 21, 2020
Heidi Riedner

A 30-year conservation veteran will lead a critical branch of the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) in the new year, amid anticipated impacts of recent changes to conservation authorities and planning acts by the Ford government.

Glenn MacMillan will take on leadership of the conservation authority’s planning, development and restoration services portfolio as of Jan. 18, 2021.

“I’m thrilled that we were able to snap Glenn up from our neighbouring conservation authority,” said Mike Walters, the LSRCA’s Chief Administrative Officer, noting MacMillan brings 30 years of experience with the Toronto Region Conservation Authority.

That includes leading roles in development and stormwater review, the creation of innovations in stormwater and new standards for development submissions, as well as vast experience with urban stormwater restoration projects.

“He’s an excellent addition to our team, and as the new general manager, I’m confident he will be able to seamlessly transition into his new role,” added Walters.

MacMillan will oversee development plan reviews, engineering services, review and issuance of Section 28 (under the Conservation Authorities Act) permits, enforcement of Section 28 violations, as well as design and implementation of significant environmental restoration projects across the watershed.

The LSRCA’s current general manager of the department, Rob Baldwin, is leaving his post to take the helm as LSRCA’s chief administrative officer as of Jan. 1, 2021.

The shuffling of senior management at the LSRCA comes in the wake of a month of controversy over the Ford’s government’s plans for the province’s 36 conservation authorities and the increasing use of minister’s zoning orders, or MZOs, which give the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Steve Clark, the authority to designate land use without the possibility of appeals.

The government also announced a $30-million investment in wetland restoration on the heels of a mass resignation of members of the Greenbelt Council over the government’s plans to limit the mandate of conservation authorities to protect the environment.

“With the anticipated impacts of the recent changes made to the Conservation Authorities and Planning Acts passed through the omnibus Budget Bill 229, I feel I’m well positioned to help the authority navigate these challenging times,” said MacMillan.

“I’m excited to get to work with the very talented and experienced team of staff and the board of directors in the new year, and I hope to have a positive impact as the authority continues to work towards achieving its mission.”

Clark defended the amendments in the omnibus budget bill that will force Ontario’s conservation authorities to permit development in environmentally sensitive lands, saying that none of the proposed legislative changes will impact the Greenbelt.

But critics of the changes, including environmental groups, insist the changes bypass legislative controls on development by granting developers an appeal process for any restrictions -- including appealing to the Minister of Environment directly or to a Local Planning Appeals Tribunal -- and dismantle the power of conservation authorities to protect environmentally sensitive lands.