Conservation authorities are…

Conservation authorities are strong technical partners of municipalities in all aspects of environmental work. They have provided good value for money and not only protect the public from flooding and natural hazards but also provide access to a high quality of life through conservation planning, land management, and stewardship actions.
The quality and quantity of drinking water can only be managed by taking a watershed approach.
Our work helps municipalities comply with the Provincial Policy Statement and other Acts and regulations - by helping them identify key features for protection and management.

Recommendations:
- Change the terminology from "Programs and services related to the risk of natural hazards" to "programs and services for the protection and management of natural hazards". The proposed wording in the Act is too vague to provide guidance as to the intent.
- Add "conservation of natural resources" and "watershed approach" to the Act. This would cover important activities related to the core work of conservation authorities around monitoring of watershed health, the study of natural areas, development of natural heritage systems in partnership with municipalities, and other programs and projects that support municipalities.