The mayors of Brampton and Mississauga are asking the Ford government to keep a Toronto-area conservation authority out of a proposed merger, arguing that these changes would create “significant and immediate risks” for three of Ontario’s largest cities.
This year, Ontario announced plans to merge 36 conservation authorities into only nine, aiming to eliminate overlap, simplify the permitting process, and accelerate housing developments throughout the province.
The new plan will also introduce an Ontario-wide conservation authority that will act as an oversight body, managing the reduction in the number of conservation authorities by 75 percent.
However, last week, Brampton and Mississauga’s mayors reached out to Environment Minister Todd Mc Carthy expressing their “strong opposition” to this initiative.
In their joint letter, Patrick Brown and Carolyn Parrish urged the government to consider maintaining the Credit Valley Conservation Authority as an independent organization.
Story continues below
This authority was established in 1954 and is slated to be merged with the Western Lake Ontario Regional Conservation along with Halton, Hamilton, and Niagara Peninsula conservation authorities. The mayors believe this shift would disrupt the local system.
“This legislation poses significant and immediate risks to three of Ontario’s largest and most economically critical cities. The stability, safety, and efficiency of our local watershed management system are too important to jeopardize,” they stated in their letter.
“They will continue to provide the same programs and services they deliver today,” they mentioned in a statement. “Their mandate and service areas will remain unchanged. Furthermore, conservation authorities will stay municipally governed; local offices will remain open; and newly formed local watershed councils will ensure municipal leaders’, Indigenous communities’, and local experts’ voices are part of watershed planning.” Story continues below The government highlighted that existing systems have created “confusion, duplication, and inconsistent service across the province.” More on Environment More videos The concerns noted in the mayor’s letter reflect those from the board of directors at the conservation authority. They indicated that municipal planners already work with predictable timelines in this area; any alterations could hinder progress significantly. “In light of Ontario’s housing crisis, we should not disrupt a system that’s effectively helping get homes built,” stated Michael Palleschi, chair of the conservation board. “Transitioning to a new regional bureaucracy would almost certainly slow approvals while staff members adjust along with systems and governance structures.” The government aims for early 2027 completion for its amalgamation efforts-a timeline some believe might be optimistic. “I think February 2027 is quite ambitious,” Tim Lanthier from Grey Sauble Conservation Authority previously told . “From media statements we’ve seen so far; we understand there’s supposed to be a plan. We haven’t seen this plan yet.” Minister Mc Carthy assured that there wouldn’t be net job losses due to amalgamation while insisting it’s necessary for dealing with “fragmentation” issues-aiming for improved leadership efficiency along with standardized operations among conservation authorities.
“We had issues related to fragmentation & inconsistency,” he remarked. “We identified solutions & settled on nine after initially proposing seven.” Story continues below Brampton’s & Mississauga’s mayors requested that officials “reconsider or pause” any proposed legislation until full consultations with municipalities take place.” & copy 2026 , a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Source link
Get breaking National news
Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won’t miss a trending story. “Any move that threatens to weaken or disrupt the high‑performing services our residents and businesses rely on demands our direct and urgent intervention.” Brown and Parrish, alongside the Region of Peel, argue that the Credit Valley Conservation Authority already surpasses provincial standards for issuing housing permits – boasting a response time of 14 days versus the provincial standard of 90 days. If changes occur, they warned it would “slow housing approvals, reduce certainty for builders, and result in fewer shovels in the ground.” A representative from the provincial government stressed that merging would not alter how conservation authorities function.“They will continue to provide the same programs and services they deliver today,” they mentioned in a statement. “Their mandate and service areas will remain unchanged. Furthermore, conservation authorities will stay municipally governed; local offices will remain open; and newly formed local watershed councils will ensure municipal leaders’, Indigenous communities’, and local experts’ voices are part of watershed planning.” Story continues below The government highlighted that existing systems have created “confusion, duplication, and inconsistent service across the province.” More on Environment More videos The concerns noted in the mayor’s letter reflect those from the board of directors at the conservation authority. They indicated that municipal planners already work with predictable timelines in this area; any alterations could hinder progress significantly. “In light of Ontario’s housing crisis, we should not disrupt a system that’s effectively helping get homes built,” stated Michael Palleschi, chair of the conservation board. “Transitioning to a new regional bureaucracy would almost certainly slow approvals while staff members adjust along with systems and governance structures.” The government aims for early 2027 completion for its amalgamation efforts-a timeline some believe might be optimistic. “I think February 2027 is quite ambitious,” Tim Lanthier from Grey Sauble Conservation Authority previously told . “From media statements we’ve seen so far; we understand there’s supposed to be a plan. We haven’t seen this plan yet.” Minister Mc Carthy assured that there wouldn’t be net job losses due to amalgamation while insisting it’s necessary for dealing with “fragmentation” issues-aiming for improved leadership efficiency along with standardized operations among conservation authorities.
“We had issues related to fragmentation & inconsistency,” he remarked. “We identified solutions & settled on nine after initially proposing seven.” Story continues below Brampton’s & Mississauga’s mayors requested that officials “reconsider or pause” any proposed legislation until full consultations with municipalities take place.” & copy 2026 , a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Source link
