Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Ontario's conservation authorities are under review

Thursday, September 24, 2015

by SUSAN MANN

Conservation authorities have become more than just advisers to municipalities and that is causing problems for farmers seeking permission to build structures on their farms.

Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Don McCabe says, “The original purposes of these conservation authorities were to deal with issues of soil erosion, drought and flood. Conservation authorities have certainly expanded into other areas of influence and that can be a result of trying to find money to keep the doors open because the (Ontario) government has dramatically dropped its funding of authorities from what it once was. That’s a serious problem.”

The province is leading a review of the roles, responsibilities, governance and funding mechanisms of conservation authorities under the Conservation Authorities Act. A discussion paper has been posted on the Ontario Environmental Registry. Comments as part of the review are due Oct. 19.

McCabe says the federation is preparing a submission.

One of the changes the federation would like to see, he says, is direct farmer representation on the authorities’ boards.

Another is greater clarity outlining the authority’s jurisdiction in matters such as building permit approvals.

Currently, “there seems to be a very large disconnect” when it comes to which body’s authority takes precedence — municipalities or conservation authorities — over such matters.

For farmers, the lack of clarity “has become an extremely onerous circumstance in certain areas of the province to get access to the necessary permits,” McCabe says. “The municipality might say one thing and the (conservation) authority might say another and meanwhile the (conservation) authority is supposed to be in an advisory role to the municipality and not in an officiating role.”
 
In its submission, the federation also plans to talk about funding mechanisms. McCabe says the various conservation authorities established under the Act “range quite dramatically in the amount of funds they have.” Due to the current funding structure, “the Toronto-area conservation authorities are extremely rich and then there are some other smaller authorities out there, which by nature of the area they’re in, do not have similar funds available.”

The environmental registry posting says the purpose of the authorities is to deliver a natural resource management program for the watershed that reflects both municipal and provincial interests.

There are 36 authorities across Ontario. BF

Current Issue

September 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Festival of Guest Nations returns to Leamington

Friday, September 12, 2025

On Sunday, September 14, 2025, Seacliff Park in Leamington, Ontario, will come alive with music, food, and celebration as the Festival of Guest Nations returns to honour the migrant worker communities who play a vital role in Essex County’s agricultural economy. With more than 20 years... Read this article online

York Region launching new Agri-Food Startup Program

Thursday, September 11, 2025

A new program in York Region is designed to help entrepreneurs find their footing in the food space. The 14-week hybrid Agri-Food Start-up Program partners entrepreneurs with local organizations like the Foodpreneur Lab, Syzl, York Region Food Network, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island... Read this article online

Corn and Soybean Diseases Spread This Season

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

As reported on the OMAFRA website fieldcropnews.com, as well as in previous articles by Farms.com, the 2025 growing season is nearing its end with corn and soybean farmers in Ontario and the U.S. Corn Belt facing disease challenges that reflect changing weather conditions. For corn, two... Read this article online

Wheat Output Decline Projected for 2025

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Statistics Canada’s latest modelled estimates suggest that wheat production in Canada will decline slightly in 2025, driven primarily by weaker yields across several regions. National output is expected to edge down 1.1% to 35.5 million tonnes, with yields forecast to fall 1.2% to 49.6... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top