Introduction
Developers and landowners should review new or existing permit
applications that involve conservation authorities' consent or
approval, in the wake of new legislative changes that will affect
certain permitting powers and related appeals processes.
On November 5, 2020, the Ontario government introduced a number
of changes to the Conservation Authorities
Act (the "Act") that will
significantly impact the role of conservation authorities when it
comes to issuing and appealing permits. These changes were
introduced as Schedule 6 to the omnibus bill titled Bill
229, Protect, Support and Recover from COVID-19 Act (Budget
Measures), 2020 ("Bill 229"), which has
recently received Royal Assent.1