Conservation Ontario: Province Releases Consultation Guide on Legislative Regulations Impacting Conservation Authorities

The following is a media release issued by Conservation Ontario.

NEWMARKET ONTARIO (May 17, 2021) – The Province has begun its broader consultation on the proposed regulations to support conservation authority programs and services under the Conservation Authorities Act.

The Guide is titled REGULATORY PROPOSAL CONSULTATION GUIDE: Regulations Defining Core Mandate and Improving Governance, Oversight and Accountability of Conservation Authorities. Agencies and individuals have 45 days to submit their feedback on the proposed regulations.

“We appreciate the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks engaging a wide range of stakeholders in the development of this regulatory proposal consultation guide and we thank the Working Group members for all their efforts,” said Andy Mitchell, Chair of Conservation Ontario, the umbrella organization for Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities.
Mr. Mitchell explained that Conservation Ontario will be working with its conservation authority members to examine the proposed regulations and will provide comments during the consultation period.

“Our goal is to ensure the regulations facilitate the conservation authorities’ commitment to protect people, property and the environment while demonstrating transparency and accountability,” he said.

A Working Group was established by the Province in January 2021 and their first task included looking at the first phase of proposed regulations that impact conservation authorities and their participating municipalities.

Its membership consisted of representatives from conservation authorities, Conservation Ontario, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario as well as the development and agricultural sectors. Hassaan Basit, President and Chief Executive Officer of Conservation Halton is the Chair of the Working Group.

Conservation Ontario will continue to engage the government as work continues on developing the regulations.

Feedback on the proposed regulations is due June 27, 2021 and can be submitted to the Environmental Registry of Ontario.