Ontario is set to undergo significant changes to its conservation authorities, with plans to centralize control under a new provincial agency. The announcement was made on Friday by Environment, Conservation and Parks Minister Todd McCarthy. The initiative aims to consolidate the current 36 local conservation authorities into seven larger regional entities.

The new agency, named the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency, is designed to streamline development approvals and reduce administrative costs. McCarthy stated that the goal is to allocate more resources and staff to front-line services, such as flood plain mapping and dam maintenance. He emphasized that there would be no job losses associated with the changes, although he acknowledged that some management positions might be reassigned.

"We want the best and the brightest on the front line where it’s going to make a difference," McCarthy said. He did not provide specific details on how the reassignment of management roles would be handled. For context, the CEO of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority earned $305,032 last year.

The proposed changes include the introduction of a single digital permitting platform that will standardize the application process across the newly formed regional authorities. McCarthy described the current system as "fragmented, inconsistent, and outdated," and he believes the new approach will lead to faster and more transparent permitting.

Critics of the plan have raised concerns about potential negative impacts on environmental protections. New Democrat MPP Peter Tabuns accused the government of prioritizing the interests of developers over the needs of Ontarians. Green Leader Mike Schreiner expressed skepticism about the claim that there would be no job losses, warning that the consolidation could weaken protections for parks, lakes, and rivers.

Despite the criticism, some local officials have expressed support for the changes. Jonathan Scott, chair of the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, acknowledged the need for greater standardization but cautioned that such a drastic consolidation could disrupt local control.

The changes are scheduled to take effect after municipal elections in Ontario next October. Until then, the existing conservation authorities will continue to manage their lands and trails. The seven new regional authorities will cover various areas, including central Lake Ontario, western and eastern Lake Ontario, Lake Erie in the southwest, the St. Lawrence region in eastern Ontario, northeastern Ontario, and Huron-Superior.