1. Proposed Changes: CAs…

1. Proposed Changes: CAs Cannot Comment on Applications
Potential City Impacts:
- Conservation Authorities act as technical advisors to the municipality on matters of natural heritage protection. Without their expertise, the municipality will have to grow this capacity on its team to address these matters.
- Furthermore, an individual municipality lacks the expertise to inform development decisions that may have cross-jurisdictional concerns (e.g. risk of flooding and water quality decisions upstream impact other municipalities downstream). Conservation Authorities can address these concerns through a watershed-based approach, which is important for Mississauga’s downstream and lake-fronting location.
Comments to the Province:
- Staff suggest the Province reconsider the proposed changes to enable Conservation Authorities to continue providing their essential review services to municipalities. Municipalities currently lack expertise and it would take time to grow these services, potentially leading to approval delays.
- A holistic approach of protecting our natural heritage systems and the public from natural hazards is important for residents, businesses and municipalities to be able to withstand and adapt to more extreme weather events because of climate change.

2. Proposed Changes: Removing the Consideration of Control of Pollution and Conservation of Land
Potential City Impacts:
- The removal of pollution and conservation of land from the oversight of the Conservation Authority would create a large gap in how matters are addressed through the planning process. It could lead to development that may pollute the natural heritage system (including aquatic habitat, watercourses and Lake Ontario), and allow for development inside natural features that would otherwise be protected from incompatible uses. These features form the backbone of Mississauga’s natural heritage system (e.g. valleylands) and provide critical ecosystem functions.
Comments to the Province:
- Staff recommend that the Province reconsider further scoping the oversight of the Conservation Authority to exclude pollution and conservation of land in order to retain the robust environmental protections that are required to ensure a healthy and resilient natural heritage system.
- A holistic approach of protecting the natural heritage systems and the public from Natural Hazards is critical for residents, businesses and municipalities to be able to withstand and adapt to more extreme weather events due to climate change.
- If existing controls are removed flood prone areas are subject to greater levels of development, then the Province could consider an environmental justice and equity lens. For example, homeowners may struggle to obtain appropriate home insurance for flooding or won’t be able to afford the costs. Impacts could also be significant for renters.

3. Proposed Changes: Obligations Regarding Land Disposition
Potential City Impacts:
- It is unclear what criteria would be established in order to determine land disposition. Given the reduction in scope of the Conservation Authorities to matters other than flooding and erosion, other areas that are currently owned for conservation purposes that play important ecological roles (i.e. wetlands, significant natural areas, habitat of endangered and threatened species etc.) may be proposed for future housing.
Comments to the Province:
- Conservation Authority lands that are critical to securing ecosystem services should be maintained for conservation. Staff recommend that the Province remove this proposed amendment and prioritize the long term impacts on the environment.
- Should the amendment proceed, clear criteria should be developed that exclude lands that support conservation purposes from the disposition process.

4. Proposed Changes: Development for Which a Minister’s Order is Issued
Potential City Impacts:
- The oversight provided by the Conservation Authority permit process provides an important level of protection for critical ecosystem features such as wetlands and watercourses. Depending on the intent of the MZO or Planning Act approval, if environmental protection is not at the forefront it could result in the loss of portions of Mississauga’s Natural Heritage and associated ecological functions.
Comments to the Province:
- Staff recommend that the Province reconsider the approach to development in this case to enable greater oversight in natural heritage protection.