NOTTAWASAGA VALLEY CONSERVATION AUTHORITY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEETING NO. 02-25-BOD
February 28, 2025
Agenda Item#: 13.4.1
Resolution#: 18-25
Moved by: Cllr. June Porter
Seconded by: Mayor Gary Harvey
Whereas: the Board of Directors is in receipt of correspondence from Oro-Medonte Council that seeks to start the amalgamation process between the NVCA and the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) as outlined in Section 11 of the Conservation Authorities Act; and
Whereas: NVCA and LSRCA serve distinct and separate watersheds, each with unique ecological, planning and regulatory considerations, including LSRCA’s additional responsibilities under the Lake Simcoe Protection Act; and
Whereas: no independent, expert analysis has been conducted to determine whether an amalgamation would improve efficiency and service delivery or whether it may instead result in increased costs, governance challenges, operational inefficiencies or dilution of focus on the needs of the individual watersheds; and
Whereas: Conservation Ontario has generally supported maintaining the current structure of thirty-six Conservation Authorities across Ontario, recognizing the value of locally focused watershed management; and
Whereas: the NVCA is actively collaborating with other Conservation Authorities and through a customer centric focus, has been making improvements to processes and procedures, therefore,
Be it resolved: that the NVCA Board of Directors opposes the proposed amalgamation of NVCA and the LSRCA, as it has not been demonstrated that such a change would benefit watershed management, municipalities or the public; and
Further that: the Board supports continued and enhanced collaboration between NVCA, Conservation Ontario, and other Conservation Authorities to standardize processes and procedures where feasible, particularly to assist development and permit applicants whose activities fall within municipalities that straddle multiple watersheds; and
Further that: remains committed to working constructively with Oro-Medonte and all NVCA member municipalities to address and resolve any challenges, including planning and permitting, in a fair, transparent and efficient manner; and
Further that a copy of this resolution with a letter from the Chair be sent to all NVCA and LSRCA member municipalities, the LSRCA Board and Conservation Ontario Council.