2025-12-03 QUINTE CONSERVATION ENCOURAGES THE PUBLIC TO PROVIDE COMMENT ON THE PROVINCE’S PLAN TO AMALGAMATE CONSERVATION AUTHORITIES
The Province of Ontario has passed Bill 68, ‘Plan to Protect Ontario Act’, which will establish a new provincial agency to oversee the activities of conservation authorities and will have the power to direct regional strategic planning, and financial & operational matters. The new agency aims to consolidate Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities (CAs) into seven regional conservation authorities (RCAs). Quinte Conservation (QC), along with six other CAs are proposed to form the Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority, an area covering 48 municipalities and 16,000 km2, stretching from Whitby to Napanee, north to the Kawarthas and south to Prince Edward County.
The eighteen municipalities that sit on QC’s Board of Directors would fund the new RCA and assist with future funding of the new provincial agency. No further details have been provided as to how local municipalities would retain meaningful oversight or control increases to municipal levies. Currently, municipalities fund 51% of QC’s annual operating budget compared to a provincial contribution of 13%.
Since 2021, over $1.54 million dollars of local, municipal funds have been invested into sixteen of the forty dams owned by QC. Additionally, another $1.2 million in grants was secured to help implement those capital works.
Quinte Conservation, an environmental agency, has been working with municipalities and residents to help preserve, protect, and safe-guard life and property since 1947. Through watershed-based science, the organization provides essential services aimed at maintaining the health, quality of life, and safety of all those living in the watershed. From flood forecasting and protection, low water response, source water protection, planning and regulations, water quality monitoring, and land preservation, QC staff are leading the way in quality deliverance of programs. They also own, manage, and operate 40 dams, 13 conservation areas, and 30,000 acres of protected and patented land. Staff are experts in their field and possess the knowledge necessary for understanding and working on or near the unique natural features and land hazards of the watershed.
Under the consolidation, the province is proposing that all of QC’s assets and liabilities will be the responsibility of the RCA. It is not known at this time how prior commitments between municipalities, donors, organizations, and the authority will be affected.
"We encourage watershed municipalities and all residents to express concerns and/or provide comments prior to December 22, 2025", says Don Kuntze, Chair of the Board of Directors. "Given the current details provided so far, we can't say how exactly our communities will be affected. Our fear is that turning a 6,000 km2 watershed region into a 16,000 km2 region will come with growing pains that ultimately affect you. So, I ask for your participation. We all need Mother Nature and the water she provides!"
The province’s proposed new CA boundaries can be viewed on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) website at www.ero.ontario.ca (posting 025-1257). The province is currently seeking feedback and comments can be submitted on the ERO website. The commenting period ends December 22, 2025.
To learn more about the QC’s programs and services, visit quinteconservation.ca
About Quinte Conservation:
Quinte Conservation is a community-based environmental protection agency. It serves 18 municipalities in the watersheds of the Moira, Napanee and Salmon Rivers and Prince Edward County. It provides cost-effective environmental expertise and leadership. Quinte Conservation’s main goal is to create a sustainable ecosystem where people and nature live in harmony. More information about Quinte Conservation is available at www.quinteconservation.ca.
-30-