Changes to the laws governing Conservation Authorities

Changes to the laws governing Conservation Authorities come into effect April 1, 2024

Recent changes to the Conservation Authorities Act and its regulations will come into effect on April 1, 2024. The Province proclaimed Ontario Regulation 41/24: Prohibited Activities, Exemptions and Permits, along with amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act and Ontario Regulation 688/21: Rules of Conduct in Conservation Areas on February 16, 2024, providing Conservation Authorities across Ontario with amendments that have been anticipated for some time.

Reg. 41/24: Prohibited Activities, Exemptions and Permits

This new regulation sets out details for protecting people and property from natural hazards. It provides information about prohibited development activities and areas where a Conservation Authority permit is required, when exemptions from a permit are allowed for certain low-risk activities, the process for applying for a permit, and service requirements for Conservation Authorities in reviewing permit applications.

Reg. 688/21: Rules of Conduct in Conservation Areas

This regulation sets out rules of conduct in Conservation Areas across the province. While this is also a new regulation, it generally maintains the requirements formerly set out in the individual regulations with some minor updates.

These new regulations aim to provide clear and consistent requirements for Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities, while addressing local differences across the province.

“These changes to the Act and it’s regulations allow Conservation Authorities to collectively modernize our operations and services across the province,” shares Otonabee Conservation CAO, Janette Loveys Smith, “Otonabee Conservation staff are prepared as always, to respond to the provincial changes and to work with our watershed residents and member municipalities to implement the new requirements.”

Along with the regulatory changes, Otonabee Conservation has released new regulated areas mapping. Residents and municipalities can search these maps by address to see if a property is regulated by Otonabee Conservation and can also view where the floodplain is located.

More information about the changes to the Conservation Authorities Act and its regulations can be found at otonabeeconservation.com or the Ontario Government E-laws website at ontario.ca/laws.

For more information contact:

Karen Halley | Manager, Communications, Outreach & Special Projects
Otonabee Conservation
khalley@otonabeeconservation.com | 705-745-5791 Ext. 224