TORONTO — The Ontario government has announced plans to create the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency (OPCA) — a new centralized body designed to modernize the province’s conservation authority system. The move aims to improve permitting efficiency, strengthen flood protection, and support local development projects, helping Ontario balance environmental protection with economic growth.
“Conservation authorities play a vital role in protecting our communities and managing our watersheds, but the system has become too fragmented, inconsistent and outdated,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “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, get shovels in the ground sooner, support economic growth and keep our communities safe from floods and other natural hazards.”
Ontario currently operates 36 conservation authorities, each with different policies, staffing levels, and fee structures. The proposed OPCA will introduce provincewide standards and centralized oversight to deliver faster, more consistent service and strengthen the ability of conservation authorities to manage watersheds and mitigate natural hazards.
Our government will be consulting on consolidating Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities into several larger, better equipped regional authorities.
Municipalities agree – these changes will improve local service delivery, and deliver better environmental protection. pic.twitter.com/ZSR6kbSlJK
— Todd McCarthy (@ToddJMcCarthy) October 31, 2025
Streamlining Conservation Across Ontario
The new agency will oversee several key modernization initiatives:
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Developing a single digital permitting platform for a faster, more predictable approvals process.
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Establishing standardized provincewide performance benchmarks to ensure consistent service delivery.
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Leading a regional consolidation of conservation authorities to reduce duplication and improve efficiency.
According to the province, if the proposed consolidation is implemented, overlapping municipal jurisdictions under multiple conservation authorities could be reduced by 63 per cent, freeing up more resources for front-line environmental work.
Strengthening Flood Protection and Watershed Management
Under the new framework, conservation authorities will continue to protect people and property from flooding, manage public lands and trails, and oversee drinking water source protection programs. They will also retain their educational and recreational programming, ensuring communities maintain local access to nature and environmental stewardship opportunities.
“The Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency will work with conservation authorities to reduce duplication, implement consistent processes and standards, and leverage shared technology and other resources,” said Hassaan Basit, Chief Conservation Executive.
Basit added that better tools and consistent policies will help local authorities “make decisions using strong technical data and deliver faster, transparent services to municipalities, residents and permit applicants.”
Consultation and Implementation
The government intends to introduce legislation in the coming weeks to formally establish the OPCA. Public consultations will follow, involving municipalities, Indigenous communities, stakeholders, and residents. The consultation process will focus on watershed-based regional boundaries and ensuring uninterrupted delivery of existing conservation services.
The province says the reforms will help cut red tape and ensure municipalities can proceed with vital infrastructure and housing projects, while maintaining strong environmental oversight and flood protection measures.
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