The CAO of the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority (LRCA) mentioned she’s “quite pleased” with Ontario’s updated plan for conservation authority amalgamation.
In a previous proposal, the LRCA was set to merge into a new Huron-Superior Regional Conservation Authority that would have included municipalities from southern Ontario, over 1,300 kilometres away.
However, the plan has changed, allowing the LRCA to stay as an independent organization in northwestern Ontario.
“We did put in a very strong ask that we be left as a standalone conservation authority based on our geographic location and our uniqueness, basically representing Northwestern Ontario,” LRCA CAO Tammy Cook said. “We had a lot of support. Each of our member municipalities, which is the city of Thunder Bay and all the organized townships passed supporting resolutions.”
“Even townships that aren’t even in our jurisdiction, such as Nipigon, passed resolutions.”
Cook noted that the LRCA’s jurisdiction will remain unchanged under this new setup.
“The consolidated regional conservation authorities would reduce administrative duplication, redirect resources to front-line conservation and modernize permitting to help the province deliver on its plan to protect Ontario by cutting red tape and building an economy that is more competitive, resilient and self-reliant, to help keep workers on the job in the face of tariffs and economic uncertainty,” the release states.
The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) expressed its approval of the new proposal on Tuesday.
“Northwestern Ontario is unique in its geography, watershed systems, and the communities that rely on them,” NOMA president Rick Dumas said in a statement. “NOMA has consistently advocated for our region to remain separate from the proposed Lake Huron regional conservation authority structure, and we appreciate that (Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Todd Mc Carthy) and the Government of Ontario have taken the time to hear the concerns and solutions put forward by municipal leaders across Northwestern Ontario.”
“Maintaining a structure that reflects the realities of our region will help ensure conservation authorities continue to provide effective, locally informed services that protect communities while supporting responsible economic development.”
In a statement issued Tuesday afternoon, Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Kevin Holland said reconfiguring conservation authorities will “strengthen watershed management and better protect communities.”
The LRCA will also be given a new name.
“Under the new Northwestern Ontario Regional Conservation Authority – operating under the direction of the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency – communities will benefit from stronger frontline service delivery, improved technology, and a more streamlined and consistent approvals process while recognizing the region’s unique environmental needs,” Holland’s statement reads.
“I want to thank Premier (Doug) Ford and Minister Mc Carthy for listening to local voices and recognizing the unique landscape of Northwestern Ontario,” Holland stated. “Our government will continue working with conservation authorities, municipalities, and local partners to protect Ontario’s environment and support growing communities.”
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