Province proposing the consolidation of Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities into regional Conservation Authorities
- Lisa Hastings
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
On October 31, 2025, the Ontario government announced that it will introduce legislation to create the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency (OPCA) with the aim of “improving the province’s conservation authority system to help get shovels in the ground faster on homes and other local infrastructure projects, while strengthening the vital role Conservation Authorities play in managing watersheds and protecting communities from floods and natural hazards”.
The proposal would consolidate the 36 Conservation Authorities into seven regional Conservation Authorities. Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) would be consolidated into an Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority, which is a consolidation of the following seven Conservation Authorities: Central Lake Ontario, Kawartha Region, Otonobee Region, Ganaraska Region, Lower Trent Region, Crowe Valley and Quinte Region.
In the map above, what is referred to as the 'Central Lake Ontario REGIONAL CONSERVATION AUTHORITY' is currently the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.
The map above illustrates the proposed Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority, which is a consolidation of the following seven Conservation Authorities: Central Lake Ontario, Kawartha Region, Otonobee Region, Ganaraska Region, Lower Trent Region, Crowe Valley and Quinte Region.
Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority is governed by members of the seven municipalities within the CLOCA watershed who make up our Board of Directors. Board Members are appointed for a four-year term, following municipal elections, with representation based on municipal populations in our watershed. Our Board Members authorize CLOCA’s programs and policies, which are then implemented by staff.
The proposed Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority would include 48 municipalities. Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority's existing Board of Directors is made up of local municipal representatives, who would be replaced by a new, yet-to-be-determined municipal governance structure.
The public is encouraged to provide feedback on the government's proposed regional consolidation of the 36 Conservation Authorities via the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO 025-1257) before midnight on December 22, 2025.
For more information:
Schedule 3 of Bill 68 amending the Conservation Authorities Act to establish the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency.