The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) says it remains committed to protecting local watersheds and maintaining services as the Province moves ahead with a major review of Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities.
The Ontario government announced plans this week to introduce legislation creating the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency (OPCA), a new provincial body that would oversee modernization and regional consolidation of conservation authorities.
“It remains business as usual,” said Ken Phillips, general manager of the SCRCA. “Our work to protect public safety, water quality, and local watershed health is ongoing. We are committed to working with our member municipalities, Indigenous communities, and the Province throughout the consultation process.”
The SCRCA said its programs and services will continue uninterrupted during the review, including flood forecasting and warning, source water protection, permitting under Ontario Regulation 41/24, and conservation area operations.
Founded in 1961, the SCRCA manages the Sydenham River watershed and smaller watersheds that drain into Lake Huron, the St. Clair River, and Lake St. Clair. The organization’s work focuses on flood prevention, erosion control, and environmental stewardship across southwestern Ontario.
The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA), which serves communities across the Lake Erie and Thames River watersheds, also confirmed its commitment to working with the Province on the proposed restructuring.
“The LTVCA is committed to working with the Government of Ontario to modernize and streamline services and appreciates the opportunity to be engaged during the provincial consultation,” the authority said in a statement. “We will provide feedback in consultation with local municipalities on the Government’s proposed framework. The LTVCA is committed to delivering local programs and services under the agreements with our member municipalities, and other partners.”
The Province has said there will be no job losses as a result of the changes. Consultations will take place over a 45-day period through the Environmental Registry of Ontario, allowing municipalities, Indigenous communities and stakeholders to provide feedback on new regional boundaries and governance structures.
Ontario’s Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Todd McCarthy, said the changes are intended to make the system more efficient and consistent.
“Conservation authorities play a vital role in protecting our communities and managing our watersheds, but the system has become too fragmented, inconsistent and outdated,” McCarthy said. “The new, dedicated agency would work with conservation leaders to ensure faster, more transparent permitting and more front-line services so we can reduce delays to get shovels in the ground sooner, support economic growth and keep our communities safe from floods and other natural hazards.”
The OPCA would provide centralized oversight and governance, standardize service delivery, and lead key modernization projects such as a single digital permitting platform and updated floodplain mapping.
Implementation of the new structure is expected to begin in late 2026 or 2027.
