By Dan Jones LJI
Northumberland 89.7 FM
As the Ontario government looks to amalgamate the province’s 36 regional conservation authorities into seven, the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority is raising concerns about how effective the new model will be in environmental stewardship.
The provincial government has signaled that it will introduce legislation soon to facilitate the merger, saying it will streamline services and reduce red tape in approving municipal projects.
Yet Conservation Authority CAO/Secretary-Treasurer Linda Laliberte is concerned that the proposed government plan may compromise local conservation efforts and relationships due to the large geographical area of the new conservation authority.
The province contends the system will help get shovels in the ground faster for homes and other local infrastructure projects, while managing watersheds and protecting communities from floods and other natural hazards.
Originally aired: December 12, 2025
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