Conservation Authority Transformation Advocacy, Bill 75 Submission

Top Insights 

• AMO and Conservation Ontario recommend using an implementation working group (including municipal representatives) to ensure changes to the conservation authority model do not lose what makes them effective: local expertise, strong relationships, and municipal oversight. 

• AMO also recommends the province restore 50-50 municipal-provincial funding partnership for conservation authorities and commit to a clear transition plan to maintain long-term stability. 

• AMO submitted comments to the Ontario Regulatory Registry on proposed regulatory amendments to police records checks. 

Conservation Authority Transformation 

AMO and Conservation Ontario (CO) have jointly written a letter to Minister McCarthy providing feedback on the proposed consolidation of Ontario’s Conservation Authorities (CA). AMO is seeking a meeting with Minister McCarthy to highlight municipal concerns, and will continue to engage with the Ministry to support improvements to the Conservation Authority model.

Complimenting AMO’s separate ERO submission, this letter reiterates that AMO and CO support the province’s goals to accelerate local approvals, while emphasising that local partnership is key to a successful transformation of the CA model. If consolidation results in regional structures that cover too large a geographic area, communities risk losing what makes CAs effective: local expertise, effective municipal oversight, and strong local relationships.

The letter makes four recommendations to the Province: 

1. Work together with an implementation working group (including AMO, CO and select CAs, municipalities, developers, and Indigenous representatives) to jointly develop practical solutions considering: 
   • Standardized approvals, faster permitting and ‘back office’ efficiencies 
   • Funding and governance models 
   • Transition planning 
      
2. Commit to a clear implementation timeline and transition plan supported by the implementation working group. 
    
3. Share comprehensive financial, operational, and governance impact analysis to support evidence-based decision-making. 
    
4. Restore a 50-50 municipal-provincial funding partnership for CAs, reflecting expanded Provincial role in CA operations while ensuring affordability and long-term stability. 

Bill 75 Submission on Police Record Checks    

AMO has submitted comments to the Ontario Regulatory Registry related to Bill 75, Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act, 2025. Ontario municipalities, and particularly rural and northern communities that rely on the OPP for policing services have faced significant operational challenges due to delays in the processing of police record checks, especially vulnerable record checks.  

Municipalities understand the importance of having an efficient and effective police records check process. AMO and its members would welcome standards that improve timeframes and processing times for vulnerable record checks in order to ensure municipalities can hire and onboard critical service providers and staff in a timely and efficient manner.