Notice of Motion

15.1.  Motion regarding Request to the Province of Ontario Regarding Proposed Amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act within Bill 68

Moved by: Councillor Kieran McKenzie
Seconded by: ____________________

WHEREAS Ontario’s Conservation Authorities play a critical role in watershed management, environmental protection, flood mitigation, and public safety across the province; and,

WHEREAS the Province of Ontario has introduced Bill 68, which contains significant and far-reaching amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act that would alter governance structures, decision-making authorities, and municipal participation in conservation authority oversight; and,

WHEREAS the proposed changes were introduced within an omnibus bill without the benefit of a standalone legislative process that would allow for comprehensive public input, stakeholder consultation, or sufficient scrutiny regarding their long-term environmental, financial, and public safety implications; and,

WHEREAS municipalities are key partners in watershed management and must retain a strong, meaningful voice in any new governance model to ensure that local knowledge, local priorities, and local risks are fully considered in provincial decision-making; and,

WHEREAS the potential impacts of the proposed amendments may increase risks to the public related to flooding, erosion, natural heritage loss, and environmental degradation if not properly analyzed and addressed through an open and transparent legislative process; and,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the City of Windsor strongly urge the Provincial Government of Ontario to withdraw all sections of Bill 68 related to amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Province be requested to re-introduce any proposed changes as a standalone bill, to proceed through the full and regular legislative process—including First and Second Readings, Committee review, stakeholder submissions, and public consultation—to ensure that the impacts on watershed management, environmental protection, and public safety are fully and transparently considered; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Province ensure that any future governance framework for Ontario’s Conservation Authorities includes robust and clearly defined municipal representation, recognizing municipalities as essential partners in protecting watersheds and mitigating environmental risks; and,

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT a copy of this motion be forwarded to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, local Members of Provincial Parliament, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA), and all Ontario municipalities and Conservation Authorities for their information and support.

BD 22/25 Proposed New Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency

Resolution 90-25 Proposed New Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency

This page will be updated only when a City Councillor gives notice of a motion for discussion at a future meeting of Windsor City Council.