The Council of the…

The Council of the Corporation of the Township of North Frontenac considered the proposed changes in Bill 68 "Plan to Protect Ontario (Budget Measures)" at their meeting on November 21, 2025 and passed the following Resolution:

366-25 Moved by Councillor Vernon Hermer, Seconded by Councillor Roy Huetl

Whereas the municipalities of the Mississippi and Carp river watersheds agreed to form a Conservation Authority in 1968 to address aging dam infrastructure, manage natural hazards, and enhance conservation;
And Whereas since 2020 over $3 million of municipal dollars have been invested in the operation, maintenance, and capital renewal of the eleven dams and six conservation areas within the jurisdiction of Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) including seven dams in North Frontenac, with MVCA securing an additional $1.38 million in grants to implement those capital works;
And Whereas the 11 municipalities lying within MVCA’s jurisdiction fund approximately 68% of the annual operating budget of MVCA compared to a combined provincial and federal contribution of just 5%;
And Whereas the proposed St. Lawrence Regional Conservation Authority is to be over 18,500 square kilometres and serve 46 municipalities;
And Whereas the current municipal governance model of proportional representation based upon municipal assessment value would be impractical; and local governance over local monies and local assets could be undermined;
And Whereas Bill 68 "Plan to Protect Ontario (Budget Measures)" would allow a new provincial Agency to direct the strategic direction, finances, and operational activities of the new Regional Conservation Authority, imposing additional costs on municipalities to fund the Agency via fees levied on the new Regional Conservation Authority; and that per capita annual operating costs within MVCA’s jurisdiction are predicted to increase from being one of the lowest at approximately $18 per capita per year;
And Whereas the Township of North Frontenac is supportive of the enhanced municipal control over Conservation Authorities that took effect in 2024 with the categorization of Conservation Authorities programs and services and signing of Memorandums of Understanding; and the Township recognizes that MVCA has made significant demonstrable improvements in operational effectiveness in recent years and is committed to continuous improvement;
And Whereas North Frontenac benefits from having conservation authority staff available locally that know our communities, developers, lake associations and Township staff;
Now Therefore Be It Resolved That as Bill 68 has already undergone Second Reading and time is of the essence, North Frontenac Council advises the following:
1. Council does not support direct or indirect municipal funding of the proposed Ontario Conservation Authority Agency;
2. Council does not support formation of the proposed “St. Lawrence Regional Conservation Authority” outlined in Environmental Registry Notice 025-1257;
3. Council requests that the Ministry pause approval of the proposed St. Lawrence Regional Conservation Authority to allow for meaningful and timely engagement with the municipalities and conservation authorities of Eastern Ontario;
4. Council requests that the Ministry examine alternative approaches to equalizing resources amongst CAs including review of the annual provincial transfer to conservation authorities that were halved in 2019 and have remained unchanged since; and
5. Council requests that the Ministry facilitate consistency amongst CAs by updating provincial technical guidelines that inform permitting by conservation authorities in Ontario; and
And That Council instructs the Clerk to provide this resolution to the Environmental Registry of Ontario consultations; the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, as well as the Opposition critics; MPP, John Jordan; the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO); Conservation Ontario; and the other municipalities within MVCA's jurisdiction.
Carried