January 15, 2026 - Annual Meeting
The Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority Board of Directors met virtually on January 15, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., with Chair Tom Hutchinson presiding. The meeting opened with a land acknowledgement read by Director Mike Niesen. The agenda was adopted, the minutes of the November 20, 2025 meeting were approved, and no declarations of pecuniary interest were made.
Guests from neighbouring conservation authorities and partner municipalities were welcomed, with greetings shared in recognition of SVCA’s 75th anniversary. The Board was introduced to new Corporate Services staff, including a new accounting clerk and the Acting Manager of Corporate Services.
In his address, the Chair acknowledged the continued support of member municipalities, staff, partner authorities, and watershed taxpayers, and spoke to recent provincial announcements regarding conservation authority amalgamation. He reaffirmed the value of local governance and reflected on SVCA’s 75-year legacy of conservation, flood protection, planning support, and land stewardship.
The General Manager reported that 2025 was a productive year, marked by progress across departments through staff collaboration and adaptability. Highlights included planning system improvements, conservation area upgrades, forestry operations, and continued advancements in flood forecasting and water resource infrastructure.
For the election of officers, Robert Uhrig was appointed Chair Pro Tem, with Tim Lanthier and Phil Beard serving as scrutineers. Nominations were closed for Chair, Vice Chair, and Second Vice Chair. As the Past Chair remained on the Board, an election for Member-at-Large was not required. Committee appointments for 2026 were approved.
The Board received the General Manager’s program report, which outlined ongoing engagement with MECP, Conservation Ontario, neighbouring authorities, and municipal partners regarding proposed conservation authority amalgamation. Updates were also provided on training, committee participation, and flood preparedness outreach.
Corporate Services reported on a staffing transition in December, and welcomed a new accounting clerk and acting manager.
Environmental Planning and Regulations staff reported progress on regulation mapping updates, planning agreement revisions, floodplain consultation, and targeted outreach. Forestry and Lands staff addressed unauthorized camping, site cleanups, hazard tree removal, and infrastructure improvements at conservation areas. Water Resources staff issued Watershed Conditions Statements, completed Flood Watch training, and commenced seasonal snow and ice monitoring, including daily frazil ice monitoring in Durham. Water Quality staff continued municipal delegations and completed seasonal sampling programs.
The Board approved the 2026 Authority Meeting and Section 28 Hearing schedule, noting that a revised March meeting date will be brought forward for confirmation.
The Board approved the 2026 SVCA Budget in the amount of $6,493,483, including a 1.6 percent Category 1 apportionment increase. The budget maintains current programs and service levels through reserve use, cost containment, and operational efficiencies, and authorizes notification to member municipalities with payments due in March and June 2026.
The Board reaffirmed statutory health and safety and workplace harassment policies for 2026 and confirmed Baker Tilly SGB LLP as auditor. Legal counsel appointments for the year were also approved, with staff noting that legal services are retained on an as-needed basis.
The Board received a report explaining the discontinuation of copying Directors on active planning and regulation correspondence, noting legal guidance related to procedural fairness and confirmation from Conservation Ontario that the practice is not standard among conservation authorities.
An updated Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Bruce for planning review services was endorsed and will be circulated to County Council for approval. Amendments to the 2026 Environmental Planning and Regulations Fee Schedule were approved, with an implementation date of March 1, 2026, to allow time for communication with municipalities.
An update was provided regarding the renewed lease with the Saugeen Valley Children’s Safety Village. Staff explained that subleasing is no longer permitted, as the organization does not pay rent for the facility or surrounding lands, and unrestricted third-party rentals would be inconsistent with the intent of the agreement.
It was noted that 56 items of correspondence were attached to the agenda, with all but one related to conservation authority amalgamation. The remaining item was correspondence from the Township of Chatsworth supporting the 2026 SVCA budget. None were pulled for discussion.
The Board moved into closed session to discuss matters relating to an identifiable individual and reported that no motions resulted.
The meeting adjourned at 4:49 p.m.
To receive the agenda package, please email: publicinfo@svca.on.ca
March 11, 2026 - Board of Directors Meeting
The Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority Board of Directors met virtually on March 11, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., with Chair Tom Hutchinson presiding. The meeting opened with a land acknowledgement read by Director Moiken Penner. The agenda was amended to include reports related to recent Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks announcements regarding conservation authority restructuring and fee freezes. The amended agenda and January 15, 2026 meeting minutes were approved, and no declarations of pecuniary interest were made.
The Manager of Environmental Planning and Regulations introduced a new Resources Information Technician to the Board.
The Board received the 2026 SVCA Workplan, which outlined departmental priorities and operational initiatives for the year ahead. Staff noted several updates and new initiatives, including the transition of SVCA’s content management system from iCreate to Govstack effective in April. An update was also provided regarding Environmental Planning and Regulations service agreements, with negotiations temporarily paused pending additional provincial direction.
The General Manager’s program report highlighted continued high activity levels across the organization throughout early 2026. Staff delivered municipal budget presentations, major community events, watershed management initiatives, permitting services, and flood response operations, including extensive 24/7 frazil ice monitoring in Durham. Corporate Services continued advancing payroll audits, tax filings, financial reconciliations, and administrative system improvements, while Communications, GIS, and IT staff maintained strong operational support and ongoing infrastructure and mapping projects.
A new quarterly municipal update initiative was introduced to improve communication and information sharing with member municipalities.
The Board approved appointments to Conservation Ontario Council and the Source Protection Regional Management Committee for 2026. Discussion also occurred regarding the future role of Conservation Ontario in light of proposed provincial conservation authority amalgamation.
Staff provided an overview of the Province of Ontario’s March 10, 2026 announcement regarding conservation authority restructuring. The revised provincial proposal would consolidate Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities into nine regional entities. Under the proposal, SVCA would become part of a Lake Huron regional authority, with transition activities anticipated to begin in May 2026 and full implementation targeted for February 2027. Staff noted that no immediate operational changes are expected and that SVCA will continue delivering services under its existing governance and budget structure during the transition period.
An additional update was provided regarding the provincial direction freezing planning, development, and permitting fee increases until February 28, 2027. As SVCA’s previously approved fee schedule changes were adopted prior to the provincial announcement, those changes will remain in effect.
Corporate Services presented draft first quarter financial statements for 2025, noting that HST filings had been completed and that reconciliation work remains ongoing. Preliminary January 2026 financial reporting was also reviewed, with staff advising that regular financial updates will continue to be brought forward to the Board.
The Board deferred Forestry and Lands and Water Resources presentations, including Forestry 101 and the Frazil Ice Event update, to a future meeting.
Environmental Planning and Regulations staff presented the 2025 Environmental Regulations Permit Statistics report, noting that 295 permits were issued in 2025, with 99.7 percent processed within provincial timelines. Average permit review time improved to 3.51 days, reflecting continued efficiency gains and service improvements.
No correspondence items were pulled for discussion.
The Board moved into closed session to discuss matters relating to an identifiable individual and later reported that no motions resulted from the closed session discussion.
The meeting adjourned at 3:11 p.m.
