Consolidation of Ontario’s Conservation Authorities

Conservation Authorities Consolidation Update (June 2026)

The Province released Bill 68, Plan to Protect Ontario Act, in November 2025. Schedule 3 of that bill outlined significant changes to the Conservation Authorities Act. These changes came into effect in April 2026 with the passage of Bill 97, Plan to Protect Ontario Act (Budget Measures). Schedule 3 of that bill provides the changes.

Ontario’s 36 CAs are being consolidated into nine Regional CAs by early 2027. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) will be part of the Western Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority, which will also include:

The consolidation is expected to take place by early 2027.

Map of the Western Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority, showing the watersheds of the four CAs within it.

Regional CAs will continue to be municipally governed, with participating municipalities appointing Board members and paying CA levies.​ The definition of participating municipalities has been changed, however, to include upper-tier and single-tier municipalities only.​ Lower-tier municipalities within a county will no longer be participating.

The participating municipalities within the Western Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority (WLERCA) will include:

  • Upper tier – 7 counties, representing 39 lower-tier municipalities
    • Essex (7 municipalities)​
    • Lambton (11 municipalities)​
    • Elgin (3 municipalities)​
    • Huron (1 UTRCA municipality)​
    • Middlesex (7 municipalities including 3 UTRCA municipalities)​
    • Oxford (7 UTRCA municipalities)​
    • Perth (3 UTRCA municipalities)​
  • Single tier – 6 municipalities
    • Chatham-Kent
    • London​
    • Pelee
    • Stratford
    • St Marys
    • Windsor

While there are still many outstanding questions, the Province has emphasized that local programs and services will continue, and that conservation areas and assets will continue to be owned and managed by conservation authorities. Assets and liabilities currently owned by UTRCA will be transitioned via Statutory Amalgamation to the new Western Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority.

The Province has indicated that local expertise and established relationships with municipalities, landowners, and developers will be retained within the new structure. The Province plans to require each regional Conservation Authority to establish one or more local “Watershed Council” to ensure that watershed management decisions are informed by local knowledge and input, including from Indigenous representatives.

UTRCA Programs and Services

There is no disruption at the local level to UTRCA’s work providing watershed protection and environmental services, including:

  • water management;
  • environmental planning and regulations;
  • conservation areas and trails;
  • drinking water source protection;
  • watershed monitoring, protection, and management;
  • stewardship programs and agricultural extension services; and
  • education and partnership programs.

Staff will continue to work collaboratively with our municipal partners through the transition period and beyond, and will reach out to the upper tier municipalities, which may have little experience with or understanding of CAs. The General Managers of the Western Lake Erie Regional CA authorities — Essex Region, Lower Thames Valley, St. Clair Region, and Upper Thames River — are meeting regularly, and discussions among staff at the CAs are starting.

Questions?

Reach out to Tracy Annett, General Manager. 

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