November 21, 2025
The RRCA administration office in South Glengarry.
The Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) recently released a proposal to consolidate the province’s 36 conservation authorities (CA) into seven regional CAs. The province is proposing to merge the Raisin Region Conservation Authority (RRCA) with four other Eastern Ontario CAs to form the St. Lawrence Regional Conservation Authority.
The Conservation Authorities Act, enacted in 1946, empowered municipalities to create local CAs and share watershed management costs. The RRCA was established 62 years ago by local municipalities in response to severe environmental challenges in the region, including drought, deforestation, erosion, and flooding.
Under local municipal direction, the RRCA offers watershed protection and environmental services tailored to community needs. These services include Conservation Areas (Cooper Marsh, Gray’s Creek, and Charlottenburgh Park), source water protection, natural hazard management, and stewardship programs for residents of Cornwall and Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.
The province is proposing to deliver CA services through a regional model. The RRCA and its member municipalities are reviewing the province’s proposal and providing feedback on the importance of preserving local municipal representation and the value of community-focused service delivery offered to the residents, businesses, developers, farmers, and municipalities in RRCA’s watershed jurisdiction.
The province’s proposed new CA boundaries can be viewed on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) website at ero.ontario.ca (posting 025-1257). The province is seeking feedback on the proposed boundaries, transition process, and future governance. Feedback can be submitted on the ERO website and will help inform future proposed changes to the Conservation Authorities Act. The consultation period is currently open and closes on December 22, 2025.
To learn more about the RRCA’s programs and services, visit rrca.on.ca or contact (613) 938-3611 or info@rrca.on.ca.