RSVP! Protect our Conservation Authorities zoom webinar on Weds, Jan 21!

The Ford government wants to dismantle Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities (CAs) and replace them with seven much larger ones directed by a new provincially-appointed agency.

Hamilton Conservation Authority would cease to exist. It would be merged with three others into an inefficient and sprawling entity spanning 28 municipalities from Niagara Falls to Toronto eliminating local control of our watersheds, creeks, streams, wetlands and waterfalls.

Join us along with guest speakers and Hamilton 350 to learn what you can do to help! RSVP to receive the zoom link here.

Rally Time! Bring a sign or make one at our sign-making table

When: Sunday Feb 1, 2026 from 2pm-3pm

Where: Intersection of Queenston Road and Nash Road in lower Stoney Creek.

Park at Queenston Place Shopping Mall at 640 Queenston Road

Bus routes: 1, 4, 34, 10, 44

Sign Ontario Nature’s one-click tool to send an email to Minister McCarthy and your local MPP. Click here.

Simple actions to help save our CAs

• Email Please MPPs using talking points below or your own words. Contacts here

• Call PC MPPs Leave a polite but firm message on their voicemail or with their assistant. Contacts here

• Rally Time! - the next rally will be held on Sunday Feb 1, 2026 from 2pm-3pm details above

• Share Encourage a friend or family member to join and use the #SaveOurCAs hashtag when posting online

  Doug Ford’s Environment Minister, Todd McCarthy, states he wants to speed up permitting to “get shovels in the ground sooner” with a Conservation Authority mega-merger. Join us to say NO WAY!

Template and talking points for your email or call:

Copy the template below, or quote from HCA’s Corporate Statement for your email or call to MPPs. Easy copy/paste contacts here.

Dear Provincial decision makers,

I am writing from the Hamilton area to express my opposition to the Province’s plan to merge Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities into just seven. My reasons are listed below and echo those of the Hamilton Conservation Authority watershed experts:

1. The Province has not provided evidence showing why the merger is needed.
   The plan notes that a regional approach is required to address inefficiency and streamline permit approvals, but doesn’t provide details on where existing CAs are falling short. We believe issues like inconsistent service or outdated systems can be addressed without restructuring the entire conservation system.

2. Local decision-making will be harder to maintain.
   Currently, Hamilton and Puslinch fund approximately 35% of HCA’s work and have a direct say in watershed decisions. The Province contributes less than 1%. In a 28-municipality organization, our local voice will carry less weight, but municipalities will still be funding the work.

3. Mergers are expensive, and there’s no funding plan.
   Bringing together conservation lands, visitor services, memberships, staff structures, and IT systems would be a major undertaking. The Province has not explained who will pay for these costs or how combining the systems will save money down the line.

4. HCA already provides efficient, reliable service.
   In 2024, we processed 94% of major permits on time, meeting or exceeding provincial expectations. The focus should be on improving resources where needed, not reorganizing authorities that already perform well.

5. Strong conservation depends on local relationships.
   For more than six decades, HCA’s conservation efforts have been supported by deep, local partnerships with municipalities, community groups, landowners, volunteers, foundations, and Indigenous partners. A larger, more removed agency could erode the local collaboration that makes conservation effective.

6. Key details remain unknown.
   Governance, costs, timing, staffing, land management, branding, and community impact have not been explained, which leaves the potential effects of the merger uncertain.

A deeper dive:

Watch the recording of Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) Staff presentation and Board discussion here

See Ford’s plan on the November HCA Special Meeting agenda here

Read Hamilton City Council’s motion detailing their opposition here