To whom it may concern: RE: …

To whom it may concern:

RE: ERO No.: 025-1257 - Proposed Boundaries for the Regional Consolidation of Ontario’s Conservation Authorities

This letter is submitted in response to Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) posting 025-1257, “Proposed boundaries for the regional consolidation of Ontario’s conservation authorities,” and Bill 68, the Plan to Protect Ontario Act. On behalf of the Council of the Town of Cobourg, this correspondence formally outlines Council’s position and concerns regarding the proposed consolidation and boundary realignment of conservation authorities in Ontario.

At its Regular Council meeting held on December 17, 2025, the Council of the Town of Cobourg passed a resolution addressing the above-noted proposal. The resolution states as follows:

THAT Council support the correspondence from the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority regarding GRCA Board Resolution in response to Bill 68 and ERO 025-1257; and

FURTHER THAT Council does not support the proposed "Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority" boundary configuration as outlined in Environmental Registry Notice 025-1257; and

FURTHER THAT Council emphasize that meaningful modernization can occur within the current watershed-based governance framework; and

FURTHER THAT Council endorses further provincial evaluation of more focused specific model as a geographically coherent, cost-effective and locally accountable which address alternatives that advances the government's priorities of efficiency, red-tape reduction and timely home construction; and

FURTHER THAT Council asks that the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks engage directly with affected municipalities and conservation authorities across Eastern Lake Ontario; and

FURTHER THAT Council direct staff to make a submission to the Environmental Registry of Ontario consultations asking the Province to pause any consolidation until more consultation can take place; and

FURTHER THAT Council direct Staff to forward this resolution to:

the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority Board
the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and his Opposition critics; and
the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (CA Office); and
Ontario's Chief Conservation Executive, Hassaan Basit; and
Local Member of Provincial Parliament David Piccini, Northumberland – Peterborough South; and
all municipalities in Ontario
In summary, the Council of the Town of Cobourg does not support the proposed “Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority” boundary configuration as currently presented. Council respectfully requests that the Province pause any consolidation efforts until consultation with municipalities and conservation authorities has occurred, and until the financial, operational, and governance impacts are clearly understood and effectively communicated.
Sincerely,

Victoria Heffernan, Manager of Planning – Development Review
Development Division, Town of Cobourg

cc. Tracey Vaughan, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Cobourg
Chris Challenger, Director of Development, Town of Cobourg
Lucas Cleveland, Mayor, Town of Cobourg
Nicole Beatty, Deputy Mayor, Town of Cobourg
Councillors, Town of Cobourg
Board Members, Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority
Linda Laliberte, CAO, Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority