Mayor's Message: Conservation Authority Proposal Risks Accountability, Local Governance, and Effective Environmental Management

Shared on behalf of Mayor Tracey Bailey.

Earlier this year, Council and I had the opportunity to discuss the Government of Ontario's proposal to merge conservation authorities throughout the province.  As a result, we have sent a letter to the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks to express our opposition to the plan.

We believe the proposal would greatly impact effective environmental management, local governance, and democratic representation.

Under the proposal, the two Conservation Authorities that serve our communities (Essex Region (ERCA) and Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authorities (LTVCA)) would be amalgamated with the conservation authorities of over 80 other municipalities across Southwestern Ontario. The proposal would create a conservation authority that stretches over 300 kilometres north of Lakeshore, and includes cities like London, Brantford, Waterloo, and Kitchener.

The proposal has raised significant concerns for  Council, including:

• Impact on local expertise: ERCA and LTVCA staff provide knowledge that is tailored to our local environmental needs. A broad consolidation risks losing that focus.
• Service quality and accountability: Centralization may impact service efficiency and local accountability by reducing the role of locally elected representatives. Our conservation authorities are already well integrated into our planning and development processes and accountable to board members who are appointed by municipalities like Lakeshore.
• Timing: Implementing these changes during a municipal election year threatens to disrupt service continuity and risks the loss of institutional knowledge.

Council and I are urging community members to learn more about this proposal and share their feedback with the Government of Ontario. Submissions can be made online until December 22, 2025, at ero.ontario.ca/notice/025-1257  

For more information, please visit the resources provided by ERCA and LTVCA: 

• Statement & resolution from the ERCA Board of Directors
• Statement & resolution from the LTVCA Board of Directors

Together, let's protect our local environment and support the balance between growth and conservation.

-Mayor Tracey Bailey