The Central Lake Ontario…

The Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority Approved the following at their December 16, 2025 Board Meeting:

WHEREAS the Province of Ontario has posted Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) Posting #025-1257 proposing the consolidation of Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities into 7 Regional Conservation Authorities;

WHEREAS the proposed Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority would consolidate Central Lake Ontario with Kawartha Region, Otonabee Region, Ganaraska Region, Lower Trent Region, Crowe Valley CA, Quinte Region Conservation Authority’s, resulting in significant changes to governance, service delivery, financial structures, land management, and municipal oversight;

WHEREAS the proposed consolidation raises substantial concerns and risks related to local decision-making authority, municipal representation, transition funding, asset ownership, service disruption and the protection of local programs;

WHEREAS there is a need for meaningful consultation and engagement with stakeholders to address identified concerns and risks of the proposed consolidation;

WHEREAS the objects of the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency (OPCA) can accomplish the same goals and objectives of consolidation of conservation authorities without service disruption and interference that will come with consolidation.

WHEREAS there is a need to undertake a full cost-benefit analysis of alternative consolidation models;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the CLOCA Board of Directors requests the Province of Ontario to pause any decision to consolidate conservation authorities to allow:
• the OPCA to completed it first 3-year term and a subsequent assessment of the need for consolidation
• for meaningful engagement needed to address the concerns and risks of the proposed consolidation
• for the review of alternative consolidation models and processes that would result in better outcomes

THAT the commentary in Staff Report #5962-25 and Attachment 3 be endorsed and submitted to the Province of Ontario as CLOCA’s comments regarding Environmental Registry Posting 025-1257;

THAT the resolution be forwarded to all municipalities within CLOCAs watershed.
CARRIED