WHEREAS Ontario’s Conservation Authorities are essential to watershed management, environmental protection, flood mitigation, and public safety; and
WHEREAS Bill 68 proposes significant amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act that would change governance structures, decision-making authority, and municipal participation; and
WHEREAS these changes were introduced within an omnibus bill, without a dedicated legislative process that would allow for full public input, stakeholder consultation, or sufficient review of long-term environmental, financial, and public safety impacts; and
WHEREAS municipalities are critical partners in watershed management and must retain meaningful representation to ensure local knowledge, priorities, and risks are considered; and
WHEREAS the proposed amendments may increase risks related to flooding, erosion, natural heritage loss, and environmental degradation if not fully evaluated;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of The Town of Shelburne urges the Provincial Government of Ontario to withdraw all sections of Bill 68 related to the Conservation Authorities Act; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT any proposed changes be re-introduced as a standalone bill and proceed through the full legislative process—including Committee review, public consultation, and stakeholder submissions—to ensure transparent assessment of impacts on watershed management, environmental protection, and public safety; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT any future governance framework for Conservation Authorities include strong, clearly defined municipal representation, recognizing municipalities as essential partners in watershed protection; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT this motion be forwarded to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, local MPPs, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Essex Region Conservation Authority, and all Ontario municipalities and Conservation Authorities.
CARRIED, W. Mills