Conservation Authorities…

Conservation Authorities were established as locally governed, watershed-based agencies — created by municipalities, funded by municipalities, and accountable to municipalities. They were founded on the principle that natural resources must be managed at the watershed scale, because drainage, flooding, erosion, and water quality follow watershed boundaries — not administrative borders.

Historically, the Province funded up to 50% of Conservation Authority operations; today, provincial support has fallen to roughly 3%, leaving municipalities to fund the majority of watershed services. SNC is concerned that the proposed restructuring would shift governance away from the municipalities who created and fund Conservation Authorities, resulting in a significant loss of local decision-making, community accountability, and rural representation.